Richard Arnold open letter to Man Utd supporters after membership resolution on Mason Greenwood

Now that now we have concluded and introduced the end result of the membership’s investigation into Mason Greenwood, I wish to be direct and clear with our followers in regards to the course of and the explanations for our resolution.

This was an inside disciplinary investigation between employer and worker which might ordinarily happen exterior of the general public eye. Given the general public nature of the allegations and Mason’s profile, I acknowledge that this was not an odd scenario, however I felt it essential that we nonetheless observe due course of and, as far as doable, keep away from media remark till I had made a definitive resolution.

When audio footage and imagery was posted on-line in January 2022, my emotions had been of shock and concern for the alleged sufferer. Her welfare, needs and perspective have been central to the membership’s strategy ever since, as have the membership’s requirements and values. Whereas we instantly concluded that Mason must be suspended pending investigation, we had been additionally acutely aware of our obligation of care in direction of him and the significance of constructing a call primarily based on full data. Till February this yr, this was a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. It was solely when fees had been dropped that the membership mentioned the allegations with Mason and others concerned within the case.

Our investigation sought to collate as a lot proof as doable to determine information and context. This was not a fast or simple course of for a wide range of causes. It was important for us to respect the rights and desires of the alleged sufferer. Additionally, now we have restricted powers of investigation which meant we had been reliant on third occasion cooperation. Timings have additionally been influenced by my want to minimise the impression of the investigation on our males’s and ladies’s groups, in addition to our Lionesses. I acknowledge that this gave extra time for hypothesis, however the various would have been to compromise due course of or create premature disruption.

Whereas we had been unable to entry sure proof for causes we respect, the proof we did collate led us to conclude that Mason didn’t commit the acts he was charged with. I’m restricted as to what I can say for authorized causes, together with the alleged sufferer’s ongoing proper to anonymity, however I’m able to share the next with you which ones ought to provide you with some perception into the complexity of this case:

– The alleged sufferer requested the police to drop their investigation in April 2022.
– We had been supplied with various explanations for the audio recording, which was a brief excerpt from a for much longer recording, and for the photographs posted on-line.
– The alleged sufferer’s household participated within the course of and got the chance to evaluation and proper our factual findings.