Mason Greenwood ‘rejects chance to play for Jamaica despite seeing his England hopes ended’

Mason Greenwood will reportedly never be selected for England under manager Gareth Southgate, despite the rape and assault charges against him being dropped last month.

Greenwood, 21, was arrested in January 2022 and suspended on full pay by Manchester United shortly after charges were brought against him for alleged rape and assault.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service announced last month that the charges had been dropped after ‘key witnesses’ withdrew their involvement.

Greenwood issued a statement after the charges were dropped, stating that he was “relieved that this matter is over.”

His future at club and international level remains uncertain, with a report in Sun stating that Southgate will never select Greenwood for England again.

The 21-year-old striker is still reportedly hopeful that he can resurrect his career in England.

Greenwood has not played for England since being sent home after making his debut against Iceland in a Nations League match in September 2020.

He and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were told to leave for breaking Covid quarantine guidelines to meet two women at the team hotel.

Greenwood would still be eligible to change nationality to play Jamaica in September, with the striker qualifying for the nation on his mother’s side.

FIFA rules were changed in 2020, allowing players to change nationality as long as they had not played more than three competitive matches at senior level before their 21st birthday.

A player also would not have to have appeared in matches in the FIFA World Cup Finals or Continental Finals.

The general secretary of the Jamaica Football Federation, Dennis Chung, said last month that they would welcome Greenwood, should he decide to change nationality.

I don’t think we’ll rule it out, but that’s a decision the coach will have to make. If the coach chooses him then he [would] be welcomed by us,’ Chung told the Jamaican Observer.

‘He is an excellent player but all that depends on the coach; and if the coach thinks that he should be chosen, then he depends on the coach.

“He’s only 21 years old, so he has a very bright future ahead of him and I think he’ll add value to any team he’s on.”

Greenwood reportedly turned down the opportunity to represent Jamaica.

His club’s future also hangs in the balance as United representatives met the striker as part of an ongoing internal investigation.

United launched the investigation after the charges were dropped last month.

Several options are on the table for the 21-year-old, including the termination of his contract, but Greenwood’s potential reintroduction into the first team is also being considered as part of a possible phased return to football, according to a report from The Athletic.

If he were to remain at the club, United would be expected to follow a gradual process that would take into account the views of fan groups, sponsors and the United women’s team at various stages.

The club would likely encourage Greenwood to take part in rehabilitation, which would initially include counseling or therapy.

This could also include facing a television interview and one that The Athletic reports as “in which he is questioned about the events that have led him to this point.”

The report also stated that any final decision after the club’s investigation will be made by co-owner Joel Glazer and chief executive Richard Arnold.

The Sun reported last week that Greenwood’s couple is pregnant and due to become a father, which comes after they also reported that he had met some former United teammates.