Troy Deeney has called for Mason Greenwood to be given a second chance following the allegations that ended his England career.
In January 2022, Manchester United forward Greenwood was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault after allegations were posted on social media.
Nine months later, the 21-year-old was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Although he denied all claims against him and charges were later dropped following the withdrawal of key witnesses, Greenwood left United by mutual agreement in August 2023 following a six-month internal investigation and has not played for England since September 2020.
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But as the forward continues to rebuild his career with Ligue 1 side Marseille, Deeney has claimed that Greenwood deserves to be given a second chance representing his country.
Greenwood's one and only appearance for England came as a substitute in a Nations League match against Iceland in September 2020.
Shortly afterwards, both he and team-mate Phil Foden were sent home early for breaching COVID-19 quarantine rules by bringing female guests back to the team hotel.
However, as Greenwood continues to impress for Marseille, where he has scored 33 goals and assisted 10 in 53 appearances, Deeney believes he should be brought back into the national team.
Writing in The Sun, Deeney claimed: "Football cannot be a place where people are written off after mistakes, alleged or not, in their younger years.
"This is not to dismiss the seriousness of those allegations. Greenwood will live with them forever.
"In truth, he does not owe an explanation to football supporters. It is his friends and family he must prove himself to.
"But, if he wants an England return, he must address it in public – prove he is worthy of wearing the England shirt, show he can be trusted.
"Rebuilding trust is the only way this can ever happen and it is an incredibly hard thing to achieve."
"It would be taxing on Greenwood himself having to face such justified scrutiny," Deeney added.
"If Greenwood can face that and come through it. he deserves a second chance with England.
"If there was to be no way back whatsoever, the game is setting a dangerous precedent.
"Sending a message that any mistake in your personal life rules you out for good."
Despite Deeney's pleas for Greenwood's return, it remains unlikely that it will come anytime soon after England manager Thomas Tuchel ruled it out amid rumours the forward could switch his national allegiance to represent Jamaica.
"I have not spoken to him until now. I have not spoken to him or his camp," the Three Lions boss said in a news conference back in September.
"My understanding was that he tries to play for Jamaica so we didn't give it another thought. He was not in the mix at the moment and he is not in our thoughts for our team."
Topics: Mason Greenwood, Troy Deeney, Football, Marseille, Thomas Tuchel
Ben McCrum