Gary Neville stroked controversy after liking a tweet about Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood, who was under investigation for attempted rape, assault and coercive control. All of the charges were related to a same woman, who had filed a complaint and investigations were underway since January 2022. The 21-year-old was suspended by United and was asked to fully cooperate with the legal proceedings.

However, in new developments of the case, all the charges have been dropped against Greenwood as The Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] said it had a “duty to stop the case” following the “withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”. Meanwhile, Gary Neville seems was caught between crossfire and even had to issue an apology for liking a tweet which apparently called Mason Greenwood “an innocent man”.

‘Clumsy like’ – Gary Neville sorry for liking Mason Greenwood tweet

Gary Neville apparently liked a tweet from former director of public prosecutions Nazir Afzal. The former director tried to explain the situation against which all the charges against Mason Greenwood were dropped, following the withdrawal of some witnesses. He further urged that the only thing people need to know is that the United player is “innocent” until “PROVEN guilty” following the dropping of charges. Afzal 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.

“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.”

While Afzal’s comments caused an uproar on Twitter, Neville liking the tweet further escalated the situation. The former full-back was however quick to reprimand his actions by deleting the engagement with Afzal’s tweet, and issuing an apology writing:

“I liked a tweet relating to the Mason Greenwood news this afternoon from Nazir Afzal. ( the former director of public prosecutions ). This like is being misinterpreted. It was a clumsy like as I obviously condemn any violence against women.”

Meanwhile, though the legal proceedings have been discontinued, Manchester United have released a statement making it clear that Mason Greenwood won’t be allowed to re-join the squad just yet. The club will conduct an internal investigation and then only a further actions will be determined. The statement from United 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.”

Greenwood too issued a short statement on his behalf in which he stated:

“I am relieved that this matter is now over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support. There will be no further comment at this time.”