Marseille president Pablo Longoria has admitted he called his mother over allegations against Mason Greenwood before signing him.
In October 2022, Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour. In February 2023, all charges against him were dropped.
His club, Manchester United, sent him on loan before a permanent transfer to Longoria’s Marseille.
Now recalling how he came to the decision, the Spaniard told The Telegraph: “With all the necessary information in my possession, I called my mother.
“And I asked: ‘What do you think, considering the whole situation?’ My mother, who worked in the Spanish prison system where she had implemented a very innovative model – she had even received a state medal for it – replied, fully aware of the situation: ‘Do it.’
“It was important because I wanted someone who wasn’t motivated by sport, because the talent is there, and whose only motivation was the well-being of her son. As a man, not as president.
“And, for me, it was very important that she told me, knowing all this, ‘do it’.”
“Yes, I know there’s criticism. I know this kind of situation can often damage a reputation.
“But I repeat, if you think you’re making the right decision, with the necessary information, and also from a human perspective, because Mason is a good guy… Since then, I’ve been sleeping soundly.”
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