Rachel Riley calls for Man United boss to quit over Mason Greenwood saga
Countdown star Rachel Riley has said Manchester United’s chief executive should consider his position over the handling of the Mason Greenwood case.
The TV star, who is a lifelong Manchester United fan, previously said she would not be able to continue to support the football club if Greenwood remained there after he was accused of attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour. Earlier this week it was announced Greenwood was leaving the club by mutual consent after being suspended in January 2022 when images and videos relating to the alleged abuse of a young woman were posted online.
Charges were brought against the 21-year-old in February this year, but later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. It was then reported chief executive Richard Arnold was planning to bring Greenwood back. This led to Arnold publishing a public letter to supporters following an in-house investigation.
The club said in the statement: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material posted online did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged. That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.”
Rachel is a Manchester United supporter (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)Branding the handling of the situation a “disgrace”, Rachel accused the club of “greenlighting” the social media abuse of the alleged victim. “I think it’s been absolutely mismanaged,” she told The News Agents podcast. “I’ve been a Man United supporter since before I was born. My dad’s been going since the 1960s. I had my babies’ Man Utd stuff ready when they were in the womb and I’ve never been more ashamed of the club. It’s a disgrace.
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“They had another opportunity to make it right, to make it right, and they have just greenlighted the abuse that’s been going on on social media, to claim innocence, to turn the alleged abuser into the alleged victim, which is classic DARVO (Deny, Attack, and Reverse Victim and Offender) techniques and I’m so disappointed.”
Asked if chief exec Arnold should consider his position, the telly star – who shares daughters Maven, three, and one-year-old Noa with former Strictly Come Dancing professional Pasha Kovalev, replied: “Yes I do. I say this with such a heavy heart. As a fan I grew up – these players are heroes for little kids, they’re your heroes.
Man Utd star Mason Greenwood has agreed to leave the club by 'mutual consent' (Getty Images)“I did Manchester United as my subject on Mastermind, I’ve been lucky enough for work to go to the club to do charity events, to meet the players, to meet the manager, to go to the director’s box for matches. It’s like my ultimate dream and I would love more than anything else in the world to give that to my daughters, but I can’t not speak out.
“What I risk as a fan, or as someone who gets all these privileges, compared to what a domestic abuse victim survivor risks by coming forward even though she or he might not be believed, it is nothing. I just don’t agree with what’s happened at all.”
Former footballer Gary Neville, who spent his entire career playing for Man Utd, said he believes independent panels should investigate serious allegations made against footballers after criticising the club’s “pretty horrible” handling of the Greenwood case.
Rape and sexual abuse * If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via or calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999
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