L’Équipe have written an apology after receiving substantial criticism for Tuesday’s front page about Mason Greenwood (22). The front page was titled, “OM-Greenwood: Unconditional love” which the paper admits sparked outrage.
The French outlet has detailed how they intended for the first three pages (including the cover) to be about the player’s start to life at Marseille. However, L’Équipe goes on to write that “when a front page is so misunderstood, it’s a failure,” and that “this ‘love’ is not and has never been ours.”
The paper continues by stating, “Beyond the Greenwood case, the fight against all forms of violence against women has been ours for a long time… On the front page on Tuesday, we unfortunately did not find the right words to continue this essential fight, on and off the field. This makes us sad and sorry.”
Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022 after videos, images, and audio recordings of these allegations were released online.
In 2023, the charges were discontinued after the Crown Prosecution Service stated that key witnesses had withdrawn their cooperation and new material had come to light meaning that there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. The player has denied all allegations against him and last year returned to football.
