02 February 2023 , 19:36
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Gary Neville has admitted it was "clumsy" to like a tweet in relation to Mason Greenwood's case after receiving a backlash on social media.
Charges of attempted rape and assault were dropped against Greenwood, 21, on Thursday. The England international, who plays for Manchester United, was initially arrested following allegations in January 2022 and has not played a professional game since.
Nazir Afzal, a former prosecutor within the Crown Prosecution Service, reacted to the latest update on Greenwood's case via social media. He referred to Greenwood as an "innocent man" and told his followers that those accused are "innocent until proven guilty" before highlighting the need not to blame alleged victims.
Charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped (Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images)Neville liked one of Afzal's tweets and some fans objected to this. Neville received a backlash on Twitter and has since responded to his followers. He tweeted: "I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal."
Neville, who is a former Man Utd captain, then referred to Afzal's previous role in the Crown Prosecution Service before adding: "This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women."
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Afzal published several tweets on Greenwood's case. He wrote: "Mason Greenwood has had all charges against him dropped by the Prosecutors. What’s changed you may ask? It appears that (some) witnesses will no longer support a prosecution & new evidence came to light. It happens. He is an innocent man, that’s all we need to know."
Afzal added: "You are innocent till PROVEN guilty. We don’t have trial by media. We don’t have evidence that any witnesses were lying. We don’t do 'victim or complainant blaming'. Prosecutors have to be sure there is a realistic prospect of conviction by a jury on the evidence they have. They don't."
Afzal continued: "Few have prosecuted more rapes than I, and I know the system is broken, but it's for the state to prove guilt. Afzal also published a longer statement on the matter.
Nazir Afzal worked in the Crown Prosecution Service (Getty Images)The Crown Prosecution Service announced the latest update on Greenwood's case on Thursday with all charges dropped. A spokesperson said: "We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
"In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case.
"We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met."
It remains unclear if and when Greenwood will resume his career as a professional footballer. His Man Utd contract, worth around £4million per year, does not expire until June 2025. The Premier League club have noted the decision on Greenwood's case.
Man Utd's statement read: "Manchester United notes the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped.
"The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete."