Roberto De Zerbi says 'good guy' Mason Greenwood has paid a 'very heavy price' for domestic abuse allegations ahead of Newcastle clash

Roberto De Zerbi claims Marseille forward Mason Greenwood has paid a 'very high price' for the domestic abuse allegations that led to him leaving the Premier League.

The 24-year-old, who signed for the Ligue 1 club from Manchester United last year, was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges the following year, citing the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light.

Greenwood spent a season on loan at Getafe in Spain before his £28million move to Marseille, where he scored 22 goals last season and has 11 from 16 already this term.

He will come up against a Premier League team for the first time when Newcastle arrive in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and De Zerbi says he is 'saddened' by how Greenwood has been portrayed in England.

'He's a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,' said the former Brighton boss. 'He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He's a little bit introverted but I know him and his family. It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.'

Team-mate Angel Gomes also spoke about Greenwood here at the Stade Velodrome, and the England midfielder sees the same as De Zerbi.

'I think it's down to the environment that we have given him,' said Gomes. 'He's loved by everyone. He's such a really nice guy who works very hard.

'I know him best because I've known him since I was young. But if you were to ask any of the players or staff, he keeps himself to himself and when he's on the pitch he enjoys himself. 

'When it's like that, as a team-mate, it's easier. But as a friend it's nice and it makes me happy to see.'

Greenwood has one England cap and talk has resurfaced in some quarters of a return.

'I've not spoken to Mason about what he wants to do (in the future),' said Gomes. 'We speak about Call of Duty, FIFA and football, we don't speak about his goals and what he wants to do.'

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is well aware of the threat Greenwood carries, and said: 'He's a very good attacker from the wide right but they use him in a clever way. It you want a combiner, with the players around him, he is that. His most dangerous work is when he drifts infield.

'But he's not just a scorer, he's a creator and he's got a really good relationship with the players around him. We will have to defend well down that side of the pitch.'