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<\/p>\nMason Greenwood’s move from Manchester United to Marseille was contentious for both clubs, particularly when it came to those in the boardroom for the French side<\/p>\n
21:38, 13 Mar 2026Updated 21:38, 13 Mar 2026<\/p>\n
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Mason Greenwood now plays for Marseille(Image: AFP or licensors)<\/p>\n
A police report was filed after Marseille executives quarrelled over the decision to sign Mason Greenwood<\/a> from Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n Greenwood, 24, left United by mutual consent in the summer of 2023.<\/a> He departed Old Trafford<\/a> around seven months after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service<\/a>.<\/p>\n Marseille signed him from the Reds for around \u00a326.7m in July 2024,<\/a> in a move which divided many in France. The contention around his arrival was not limited to the wider football world, as there were many within the Marseille boardroom who were not happy about the prospect of signing him.<\/p>\n Reports in France have claimed an argument about signing the West Yorkshireman led to a police report being filed. It’s been claimed by La Provence<\/a> a police report was filed by a club senior executive after sporting director Mehdi Benatia clashed with Cecilia Barontini, who had spent four years within the Stade Velodrome’s human resources team, about signing Greenwood.<\/p>\n Club president Pablo Longoria is understood to have instructed Barontini to take charge of several administrative matters alongside Alban Juster, but she was “opposed” to the idea of buying Greenwood.<\/p>\n Get MEN Premium now for just \u00a31 HERE<\/a> \u2013 or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE<\/a>. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE<\/a> and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n She also expressed disagreement against Marseille’s move for Algeria international defender Youcef Atal, who had been handed an eight-month suspended prison sentence and a \u20ac45,000 fine for sharing an anti-Semitic video after attacks were carried out on the Gaza Strip soon after October 7, 2023.<\/p>\n There was disagreement within Marseille about the decision to sign Greenwood(Image: 2026 Eurasia Sport Images)<\/p>\n All of these disagreements reportedly culminated in a “heated confrontation” in Longoria’s office, which led to an incident report being compiled by local police forces. In the end, the French heavyweights chose to sign Greenwood, who has made 73 appearances for the Ligue 1 side.<\/p>\n Longoria recently explained his decision making around Greenwood, when he realised there was an opportunity to sign the ex-United academy graduate. He strangely said he ran the idea past his mother, before he made his decision.<\/p>\n He recently told The Telegraph<\/a>: “For me, it\u2019s correct to speak openly about it. Creating taboos in life is never positive. For us it was a massive market opportunity from a sporting perspective where we analysed, very carefully, what really happened.<\/p>\n Charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service(Image: Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n \u201cIn that case, having done due diligence and having all the information \u2013 and this is the first time I speak about this \u2013 with all the information I called my mother. And I said \u2018what do you think, knowing all the situation?\u2019<\/p>\n “And my mother, who used to work in the prison system in Spain, having a very innovative prison system model in Spain \u2013 she was recognised with the medal of the state.<\/p>\n “So I ask her, having all this information, \u2018what would you do in my position?\u2019 And she said to me \u2018do it\u2019. With all the information.<\/p>\n Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/p>\n \u201cIt was important because I wanted someone who doesn\u2019t have the incentive of the sport, because the talent is there, that her only incentive is the good of her son. As a man, not as a president. And, for me, it was very important that she said to me, knowing all of this, \u2018do it\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Longoria went on to say: \u201cI know that there is criticism. I know that the situation, it\u2019s so many times, potentially reputational [damage].<\/p>\n “But, I repeat, if you think that you are taking the right decision, with the right level of information, and from a human perspective as well, because Mason, he\u2019s a good kid, seriously. From that time, I sleep at night.\u201d<\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a349<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Mason](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_GettyImages-2262032831.jpg\")
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