EA Sports will not be reinstating Mason Greenwood in its FIFA video game series after charges against the Manchester United striker were dropped.
Greenwood was removed from FIFA 22 after his arrest in January 2022, and he never appeared in the game’s latest edition, FIFA 23.
Fifa
Greenwood will not be playable on FIFA 23 as things stand
AFP
Greenwood had the charges against him dropped
The 21-year-old has been removed from active squads, Ultimate Team [FUT] packs and the Ultimate Draft in last year’s game, and has been absent from the series ever since.
After more than a year of investigation, the Crown Prosecution Service announced on Thursday that the charges against Greenwood – which included attempted rape, assault and included controlling and coercive behavior – had been dropped.
The charges were dropped following the “withdrawal of key witnesses”.
No decision has yet been made on his future in football, with United now undergoing their own investigation before deciding their ‘next steps’ with the player.
A senior Manchester United Supporters’ Club member has called on Greenwood never to play for the Premier League giants again, while talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has suggested the club could sack Greenwood for bringing the club into disrepute.
Although EA Sports, which publishes FIFA video games, declined to comment on the situation, it is claimed that Greenwood will continue to be excluded from the series for the time being.
Greenwood was suspended from playing and training with United in January 2022
The striker, who has England cap, was first arrested in January 2022 after pictures and videos emerged online.
He was quickly let go by sponsors Nike, suspended from Manchester United and withdrawn from FIFA.
The 21-year-old continued to receive his full salary from United throughout his deal.
It is understood Greenwood will not return to play or train with the Premier League club while United conduct their own internal investigation.
First-team manager Erik ten Hag was asked three times about Greenwood during his press conference on Friday afternoon, but declined to comment on the situation.
