A domestic abuse campaigner has publicly criticized Manchester United and their new minority stakeholder, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, over the handling of Mason Greenwood’s transfer. The activist has urged the club to donate money to charity, highlighting their decision to sell Greenwood to Marseille instead of releasing him outright.
Controversial Transfer to Marseille
Earlier this week, Greenwood completed a permanent transfer to Marseille for €30 million (£25m/$34m). This move has sparked backlash from the activist, who believes the club prioritized financial gain over moral responsibility. The campaigner argues that Manchester United, as a global sports entity with significant revenue, should have released Greenwood instead of profiting from his sale.
Criticism of Manchester United’s Culture
In an interview with i, the activist expressed concerns about the culture at Manchester United, stating: “Man Utd’s a massive global sports club that rakes in hundreds of millions a year and that they didn’t release a player – which they could have done quite easily – and chose to retain him for their own financial needs, really prioritises the financial needs of the company above women.”
The activist further criticized Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s focus on the men’s team while allegedly neglecting the women’s team, despite their success. “It seems to be a phase of the vision of what’s happening at Man Utd anyway. It’s a disturbing insight into the culture at Man Utd and how they are treating women, pushing them quite literally to the side and the periphery of the club.”
Call for Action and Accountability
The campaigner also emphasized the need for Manchester United to engage with women’s charities and make donations to support services that are struggling financially. “They didn’t even engage with women’s charities until the 11th hour, the fact they can’t donate to one of those charities or maybe a charity in the local area, it’s woeful, especially for a club of Man Utd’s size.”
Additionally, the activist called for the establishment of an independent body to investigate cases of sexual violence in sports, arguing that internal investigations lack transparency and accountability. “This was a real moment where the best thing to do is recognize there is a problem with sexual violence in football. Insisting the UK Government should introduce an independent body to investigate similar cases in sport.”
The criticism from the domestic abuse campaigner sheds light on the ongoing issues within football regarding the treatment of women and handling of sexual violence cases. The sale of Mason Greenwood to Marseille has ignited a debate about Manchester United’s priorities and their responsibility towards social issues. The call for charity donations and an independent regulatory body underscores the need for greater accountability and support for victims within the sport. As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how Manchester United and other clubs will address these pressing concerns.