ESPN Bet, a rebranded sports gambling app from Penn Entertainment, is almost here
ESPN Bet, a rebranded sports-gambling app owned by Penn Entertainment, is set to launch Tuesday
2023-11-15 06:23
Pakistan, IMF reach $3 billion staff-level agreement
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level pact with Pakistan on a $3 billion stand-by arrangement,
2023-06-30 11:48
Ukraine war: Russia executing own retreating soldiers, US says
The White House says heavy losses and poor morale are leading to mutinies in some units.
2023-10-27 05:50
Why do criminals target sex workers? Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer's arrest is a painful reminder of violence against 'marginalized' groups
'There are many reasons people use to attack sex workers,' Jasmine Tasaki claimed
2023-07-17 19:29
Internet dismisses Harvard students' pro-Palestine 'die-in' protest as 'liberals having a temper tantrum'
The two primary organizations behind Wednesday's protest were the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee and Harvard Graduate Students for Palestine
2023-10-19 18:48
Mason Greenwood, Manchester United and football’s dark double standards
“Intense internal deliberation,” Manchester United called it in something of a holding statement. Mason Greenwood’s future is the subject of rather more than that; it is a situation with considerable and potentially colossal implications, on and off the pitch. It will affect, and probably damage, United’s reputation. It will probably give their various sponsors a question of whether to terminate their relationship with the club. It certainly could bring a backlash against entirely blameless players in their women’s team. At some stage, an announcement will come whether Greenwood’s contract is terminated or whether he will play for United again. The club said the “fact-finding” stage of their investigation into his conduct is complete and that chief executive Richard Arnold will make the final decision; and yet the belief is that the decision is made and that Greenwood will stay. This is a moral, commercial and footballing issue: even perhaps the world’s biggest club have seemed ill-equipped to deal with an issue of its magnitude and sensitivity. The bare facts are that in January 2022, disturbing audio emerged of a voice, assumed to be Greenwood’s, as a man tried to force himself upon a woman. Greenwood was subsequently arrested and later charged with attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling and coercive behaviour. The charges were dropped in February 2023 by the Crown Prosecution Service when new material emerged and key witnesses withdrew their involvement. United then opened their internal investigation. Since then, Greenwood has remained suspended by the club, unable to play or train. United can argue a six-month investigation is a sign of how thorough it has been: they say they have spoken to plenty of people and considered evidence that is not in the public domain. Yet concluding it was always likely to be a problematic part: perhaps it would have been easier if it was done in June, in the off-season. Instead, it has been mishandled. United had communicated privately that they would reveal their decision before the start of their campaign. It kept being put back: originally slated for 4 August, it was later said it would not be made on last Wednesday or Thursday, then not on Friday, either. But part of the process was that United needed to communicate with what they termed key stakeholders: they include sponsors and commercial partners, fans’ groups and their women’s team. And the fact that some of the players are in Australia, trying to win the World Cup, seemed to have passed United by and led to suggestions the decision was in their hands and the sadly inevitable social medial abuse. With the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday and the prospect of the players having time off before returning to United, it means an announcement may not come until September. But, with each step, it seems ever more likely that they are trying to find a way to explain that Greenwood will return to the club. There is little doubt that keeping Greenwood would bring outrage, and not merely outside Old Trafford; certainly some staff would be unhappy and it would be entirely understandable if members of the Women’s side were too (that United only formed a Women’s team in 2018 showed a lesser commitment than many of their rivals displayed). Eight of the men’s squad have joined since Greenwood last played but he is not thought to have been universally popular in the dressing room when he was involved. Meanwhile, there are other aspects to consider. The alleged victim cannot be named for legal reasons; her anonymity is important, though it also means the picture visible to the wider world is incomplete. United are yet to divulge the findings of their investigation. One finding, in particular, should be key in a society where there ought to be some scope for rehabilitation of the repentant: is Greenwood sorry or just sorry he got caught? He and United can argue that he was not convicted of any criminal offence, though that does not automatically render him an innocent man. They can say he has suffered a punishment by already losing 18 months of a relatively short career. They would probably be right if they concluded that virtually any other club would keep Greenwood; unpleasant as that suggestion will be, it is a reality of football. Even for a club of United’s wealth – with an annual turnover of around £600m and having spent about £170m on signings this summer – would be reluctant to let a footballer with the talent to be worth £100m go. Their owners, the Glazer family, have rarely seemed aligned with what fans desire. The manager, Erik ten Hag, has a team who scored too few league goals last season. Meanwhile, Greenwood, still only 21, is United’s youngest goalscorer in Europe; only Norman Whiteside and George Best scored more for United as teenagers. Does any of that matter? Many would say no. In an assessment of his character, it certainly does not. But there is a double standard in football. Were a steward, a kitman or a press officer to have behaved as Greenwood did, it would be a simple decision to dismiss them for gross misconduct. But footballers are treated differently and United are wrestling with the question of how to justify that. Read More Man Utd confirm Greenwood investigation is over - but no decision on future made Manchester United delay decision over Mason Greenwood’s return Michael Olise signs bumper new deal as Crystal Palace fend off Chelsea interest Michael Olise signs bumper new deal as Crystal Palace fend off Chelsea interest US will not poach ‘special’ World Cup manager Sarina Wiegman, FA insists Premier League clubs interested as race for Jeremy Doku’s signature heats up
2023-08-17 21:18
Scheana Shay 'disgusted' after finding out Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss hooked up at her 2022 wedding
'Vanderpump Rules' star Scheana Shay and her husband Brock Davies claim they had a hint about Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' hook-up
2023-06-09 09:51
Authorities assess damage after flooding from glacial dam outburst in Alaska's capital
Raging waters from a weeked outburst of water from a glacier-dammed lake destroyed two buildings and undermined others but are now receding in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau
2023-08-08 02:45
Xi's G20 no-show may be part of a plan to reshape global governance
When the world's most powerful leaders descend on New Delhi this weekend to address the multiple crises facing the world, notably absent will be China's Xi Jinping, who has never missed a G20 summit since taking power in 2012.
2023-09-08 12:28
Jail where Trump will be booked in Georgia has long been plagued with violence
The jail in Georgia where former President Donald Trump is expected to surrender on Thursday is plagued with violence and other problems
2023-08-23 22:19
British lawmakers say new health agency had weak financial controls
LONDON The UK Health Security Agency was set up with financial controls that were so weak parliament cannot
2023-07-05 15:28
'Vanderpump Rules' star Tom Sandoval labeled a 'narcissist' as he goes shirtless to promote his podcast 'Everybody Loves Tom'
Tom Sandoval announced his new gig shortly after claiming he's single after Raquel Leviss affair
2023-09-28 09:51
You Might Like...
Alec Baldwin remembers late mom Carol a year after death, says 'we continue the work to honor her legacy'
Dog co-owned by country's Tim McGraw wins new breed at show
Hurricane Lidia slams Mexico's coast leaving widespread damage
Defense Secretary Austin says US is 'concerned about potential escalation' in Middle East
'Your advocacy matters': Internet hails Kehlani as she calls out celebs keeping silent on Palestine
Fans gush over Joe Scarborough as ‘Morning Joe’ host’s interview with Marvel star Robert Downey Jr resurfaces
Ukraine war: 'Offensive actions' under way in east, Kyiv says
Why was Kai Cenat ‘disappointed’ after tasting Logan Paul and KSI’s new PRIME flavor? ‘This s*** right here is not lemonade’
