Nike severs ties with Greenwood after rape arrest

LONDON－US sportswear giant Nike said on Monday it had terminated its endorsement deal with Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood following his arrest on suspicion of rape.

Greenwood was released on bail last week after being questioned over the alleged rape and assault of a young woman.

The 20-year-old had been arrested after images and videos were posted online and, while in custody, he was further arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and threats to kill.

United has suspended Greenwood from playing or training with the club until further notice.

Nike last week issued a statement saying it was "deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation".

It has now confirmed Greenwood will no longer be endorsed by the company. "Mason Greenwood is no longer a Nike athlete," the firm said in a statement.

United has removed all Greenwood merchandise from its website, with his name absent from a drop-down list of players' names for replica shirts.

A number of sponsors have reacted by distancing themselves from the player.

Greater Manchester Police did not name the player last week but said: "A 20-year-old man arrested on Sunday, January 30, 2022 on suspicion of the rape and assault of a woman has been released on bail pending further investigation."

Greenwood, who made his United debut in 2019 after coming through the youth ranks, has played 129 times for the club, scoring 35 goals.

He signed a new deal in February 2021, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2025.

Greenwood made his England debut against Iceland in September 2020 but he and Manchester City's Phil Foden were sent home after a breach of the team's coronavirus guidelines. He has yet to win another cap for the Three Lions.

United looked like it had at last found some rhythm under interim manager Ralf Rangnick in the early stages of Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Middlesbrough before it lost its way and exited on penalties.

United wasted a glut of golden chances in the match and paid the price when the Championship side equalized.

Rangnick's side still look less than the sum of their parts two months after he took charge at Old Trafford, even though he was surprisingly upbeat about its performance against Boro.

United has scored 19 goals fewer than Premier League leader Manchester City this season and has struggled to kill off teams.

Winning the Champions League appears unlikely, making it vital that United finishes in the top four to qualify for next season's competition.

AFP