Over the past week, two sickening and uncomfortable incidents of sexual misconduct have come to highlight that the beating heart of the game we all love is plagued by a nasty affliction. The cases of Man United’s Mason Greenwood, and Ex Raith Rovers’ David Goodwillie, serve as blazing reminders that it is the responsibility of those on and off the pitch to stamp out abuse, wherever it may rear it’s ugly head.
At the time of writing, disgraced public figure and Manchester United footballer, Mason Greenwood, has been released on bail by Greater Manchester Police following a rape allegation, suspected sexual assault and ‘threats to kill.’
Over the final weekend of January, an audio clip and some photos of the 20-year-old’s girlfriend started to make the rounds on a number of social media platforms. By the Monday morning, alongside Boris Johnson, Putin, and the rest of the familiar faces trending in the UK, was the name: Harriet Robson.
Robson is the young woman in question who Greenwood allegedly raped, assaulted and threatened to kill, following a leaked audio clip in which he seems to force himself aggressively upon her, and a series of photographs revealing a busted lip and numerous bruises upon the poor victims body.
Rightfully so, Robson has been commended for her bravery online whilst Greenwood has been indefinitely suspended by the club he has belonged to since the age of six. Man United has confirmed that he will not return to training or play any matches until further notice, enforcing the team’s stance that they ‘don’t condone violence of any kind.’
Sports giants, Nike, have swiftly halted collaboration with the player, releasing a statement that reads: “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Robson’s father, seemed to echo his daughters anguish as he spoke to the DailyMail on Sunday:
“The first thing we knew about this was 6am this morning. It is dreadful, I’m just coming to terms with it all.
“As a father you don’t want to know things like that are happening to your daughter. The police have been round and she has made a statement to them.
“She has told us her phone has been hacked. We told her to take it down, which she has done but it’s out there now. Harriet is devastated because she didn’t want it released. We have known Mason since the U21’s. He has been part of our family for two or three years.
“Their relationship has not been good for the last few months. She is completely devastated by it all. They were very much in love and have been together for a while. The police are dealing with it now.”
Although the victim’s father seems to suggest the situation is not simply ‘black or white’, the allegations are clear, and undoubtedly severe.
Outcry has turned to action overnight as Manchester United and Nike aren’t the only parties standing in solidarity with Greenwood’s girlfriend. EA Sports have removed the 20-year-old from all game modes in Fifa 22, bar Ultimate Team. United have gone further, reaching out to fans who had bought a Greenwood jersey, offering to exchange the now marred shirt for one with another players name emblazoned on the back, free of charge.
Last night the club suffered a shock FA Cup loss at the hands of Championship side Middlesbrough; the Red Devils completely omitted Greenwood from their official match-day programme. He currently resides at his home in Bowdon, where security has been tightened.
A source revealed that Greenwood’s teammates have been left ‘shocked and appalled’ by the news of sexual assault allegations against the player. David de Gea, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford have since unfollowed him on social media.
Greenwood’s treatment has been swift and zero-tolerance like from football fans and those affiliated with him. Surely, his banishment from football this week due to the disgraceful actions he is accused of, serves as a pledge that cases of footballers abusing women will no longer be brushed under the carpet, right?
As the week rolled on, Raith Rovers, of the Scottish Championship, didn’t seem to get the message…
Coincidently, similar to Greenwood, David Goodwillie was tipped for Scottish greatness more than a decade ago, winning the SPFA award (young Scottish footballer of the year) in 2010/11. In 2017, he and teammate David Robertson were found guilty of raping a woman in 2011: the very same year Goodwillie was named the best young footballer in the country. He had appealed three times against his conviction, but the court upheld the decision.
On deadline day, Raith Rovers re-signed Goodwillie, who had played for the club on loan back in 2007. Whilst abhorrently distasteful, the club equipped the ‘he’s a former player’ argument to try and justify the club’s rediscovered association with the convicted Rapist.
The club issued a statement claiming that Goodwillie’s signing was a ‘football decision.’ Somewhat interesting, in times where the slogan ‘some things are bigger than football’ rings truer than ever.
Goodwillie’s unwanted return saw Raith’s reputation as a family club destroyed as up to 30 volunteers quit in protest, two directors resigned, sponsors pulled the plug and Fife Council were asked by Depute Provost, Julie Ford, to review all its links.
SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon, suggested to the media that the club should have ‘a long hard think.’
On Thursday, only days after the signing, owner John Sim confirmed that the club were making plans to tear up the forward’s contract. However, the damage had already been done. A second statement issued by the club apologising for their actions failed to mention any aspect of ‘Rape.’ Only referring to Goodwillie’s crimes as ‘what happened ten years ago.’
Some might say the apology missed the mark, so to speak.
In the wake of this baffling move, Raith Rovers’ women’s team have cut themselves off from the club, rebranding themselves as McDermid Ladies- named after the best-selling crime writer Val McDermid. The author, who is a high profile fan of the club, (or was until last week) apparently ripped up her season ticket, condemning Raith publicly:
“David’s actions are disgusting and despicable, Raith signing him now shatters any claim that we are a ‘family’ club.”
On a light-hearted note, McDermid Ladies’ first game was played at Windmill Campus on the opposite side of town to Stark’s Park (Raith Rovers’ ground) and attracted a significant media presence, as well as number of former club stalwarts.
The newly founded side will continue to wear their original jersey but with a new crest. A bold looking ‘Z’ for ‘zero-tolerance’ proudly rests atop of where the red dragon used to sit.
Raith Rovers men’s team played on the weekend; there were chants of ‘sack the board’ from the home supporters. The message is clear.
Action, as the McDermid ladies have demonstrated, speaks louder than words; especially the words used to construct Raith’s half hearted apology on Thursday. Evidently, most of the footballing world has come together this week to outline exactly what is not ok.
Our beautiful game, bit by bit, is starting to join the rest of society’s teachings in reminding those who think that they can infringe on or violate others’ human rights that they must conform to human decency, or face the consequences…
