Greenwood has ‘paid a lot’ for sexual assault allegations, De Zerbi says

Olympique de Marseille (OM) coach Roberto De Zerbi says Mason Greenwood has “paid dearly” after being accused of sexual assault, as the forward prepares to face English opposition for the first time since the allegations were made this week.

OM host Newcastle United in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Greenwood expected to start.

He was suspended by his former club Manchester United in January 2022 following allegations of attempted rape and sexual assault, but prosecutors dropped the charges in February 2023.

Greenwood controversially signed for Marseille in July 2024 after a season’s loan from United to Spanish club Getafe.

«I don’t interfere in private matters. I just know that Mason is a good boy,» De Zerbi told reporters on Monday.

“He paid dearly for what happened, and he found the environment he needed here…

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“I regret what happened in his life because I know someone who is different from what is described, especially in England.”

Greenwood has scored 33 goals for Marseille, 11 of which have already been scored this season.

“Greenwood is making progress,” De Zerbi said.

“It is up to us to support him, but above all it is up to him to want to make that effort.

“Don’t tell him too much, don’t write it down too much, but I really think he’s becoming a complete player.”

Greenwood, who won one cap for England at the age of 19, plays alongside compatriots Angel Gomes and CJ Egan-Riley in the south of France.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said in September that Greenwood was not in his plans.

Gomes, who also played with Greenwood at Man United, insisted he does not know if the 24-year-old was hoping for an international recall ahead of next year’s World Cup.

“I haven’t spoken to Mason about what he wants to do,” said Gomes, who has played for England four times but not for more than a year.

“We talk about (video game) Call of Duty, we talk about (video game) FIFA, we talk about football, but I don’t talk about his goals and what he wants to do – our relationship is not like that…

«When he’s on the field he enjoys it, and when it’s like that as a teammate it’s easier. But also as a friend it’s fun and happy to see.»

Marseille have just three points from their first four Champions League games, with Greenwood scoring just once, and are outside the qualifying places for the knockout stages.

Newcastle are sixth in the table after an opening defeat to Barcelona with three straight wins.

Published on November 24, 2025