The most straightforward decision in all of this – even if it never felt that way – was the announcement Manchester United made on Monday afternoon: Mason Greenwood has no future at Old Trafford.
A far more difficult question remains unanswered: what does football do with Mason Greenwood now?
It would, in the words of Manchester United, “be most appropriate” for Greenwood to resume his career away from Old Trafford.
In the eyes of others, it’s not appropriate for Greenwood to resume his career full stop.
“Some survivors are telling us they don’t want to see him playing football again, they don’t want to see him cheered by football fans again, and we completely understand that,” Teresa Parker, a spokesperson for the charity Women’s Aid, tells The Athletic.
“Our work with the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) has really shown that when you’re talking about issues around anti-racism, anti-sexism and anti-misogyny, a player’s values and responsibilities are really important.
“So if he (Greenwood) comes back, we want to make sure that values are upheld and the big organisations – the Premier League, the PFA etc. – work together to prioritise this as an issue so that you have a framework and there is less harm and abuse moving forward. There…
