After Mason Greenwood was harassed by fans of the opposing club, Getafe issued a statement condemning the “derogatory and intolerant” comments that were directed toward their side.
At some point during Wednesday’s La Liga encounter against Athletic Bilbao, loanee striker Greenwood, who is 21 years old, was apparently subjected to shouts calling for him to be killed.
In February, the criminal accusations that had been brought against Greenwood, which included attempted rape and violence, were dismissed.
Greenwood is playing for Getafe on loan from Manchester United for the upcoming season.
The club stated in their statement that the shouts have been “occurring repeatedly” at games, but they did not name any players, members of staff, opposition teams, or particular events.
According to the statement, the players and coaches of Getafe are well aware of the media influence that comes with competing in the top league in the world.
“But beyond that, they are people with feelings, who have family and friends who suffer with them and deserve respect,” you may say.
This month, Greenwood signed with Getafe after leaving Manchester United by mutual consent following a six-month probe within the organization of his previous club.
On September 17, when he made his debut for Getafe against Osasuna, the crowd reportedly applauded and chanted for him throughout the game.
When the striker for England with one cap made his first start on Wednesday against Bilbao in a game that ended in a 2-2 tie, there were apparently also similar shouts audible.
The following is an excerpt from the statement: “Getafe CF wants to express total condemnation of the insulting and intolerant chants, especially serious insults, which have been occurring repeatedly during the La Liga season and which hurt not only the image of our players and coaching staff but also their morale.
“Insulting chants, out of any civic context, [are being] aggravated with criticism that we respect as freedom of expression from a sporting point of view, but that we do not share when that critical current is attributed with derogatory epithets, insults, and disrespect to the members of the staff and coaching staff of Getafe,” Getafe’s manager said in a statement.
The cumulative effect of all of this has a negative impact on the reputation of our club, the other participants, and the professionals that make up the field.
Getafe CF takes a stand against acts of violence, racism, xenophobia, and intolerance that take place in sporting events.
