'It gave us power to investigate' – Pablo Longoria on the criticism of Mason Greenwood's Marseille transfer

09/13/2024 10:34 AM

Speaking to Ben Jacobs at the Thinking Football Summit, Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria was asked about how the Ligue 1 club have dealt with the criticism of signing Mason Greenwood (23) from Manchester United in the summer transfer window.  

The 23-year-old’s transfer to OM came under lots of scrutiny. Figures including the Mayor of Marseille Benoït Payan came out in their disapproval of the transfer of the former Manchester United attacker. Greenwood’s transfer has been dealt with controversy after he was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022 before charges were dropped in 2023. 

Despite the criticism around his transfer to Les Olympiens, Greenwood has not let this affect him. The former England U21 international has got off to a flying start in Ligue 1 after scoring 5 goals in 3 appearances for Marseille. He is currently the top goalscorer in Ligue 1. 

Talking about the United academy graduate’s transfer and the criticism around it, Longoria said, “The comments of the mayor reinforce what we did. He did not have all the information. We took the decision internally. Okay, there was some kind of opposition, but at the same time it gave us power to investigate, or maybe not investigate because I am not a judge, but to use all the information to take the best decision, which I think we did.”

GFFN | Liam Wraith