Ex-Manchester United star Mason Greenwood was subject to chants telling him to “die” whilst making his debut for new club Getafe this weekend.
The former Man United winger, who left Old Trafford during the most recent transfer window after the club confirmed he would not be returning to the fold following his sexual assault allegations, made his first appearance for the La Liga side on Sunday.
Despite being rather controversially welcomed by the club at the start of the month, signing autographs and posing with young children upon his arrival in Spain, he received a much colder reception from the travelling fans in attendance for the home side’s 3-2 win.
Getafe came up against Osasuna in their fifth match of the 2023/24 season and the away support made their feelings on his arrival in the league pretty clear:
Osasuna are facing punishment from La Liga after supporters aimed abusive chants towards Mason Greenwood during Sunday’s game with Getafe.
Although it may be hard to make out from this clip alone, the fans in question were reported as chanting, “Greenwood, muerete!”, which roughly translates to ‘Greenwood, die/drop dead!’ during numerous periods throughout the game.
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Those found to have been involved are now set to be punished for the verbal abuse, according to The Athletic, and Osasuna’s own manager came out to condemn the behaviour, with Jagoba Arrasate telling reporters after the game that “the chants against Greenwood were very bad”.
As for Getafe’s manager, José Bordalás, he told Spanish media: “Today was a difficult game that was very back and forth… We are still working with him, as he has gone many months without playing. We will take this calmly. I imagine today will have been special for him and he will have the satisfaction of feeling like a footballer again.”
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Bordalás was also forced into clearing up a false claim that Jude Bellingham played a part in Greenwood choosing Getafe, apologising for the ‘confusion’ and admitting that the club has now “clarified to [him] that it was not the case.”
Greenwood saw all the charges levelled against him — attempted rape, assault, as well as controlling and coercive behaviour — dropped earlier this year but United faced heavy criticism for taking so long to make a decision on his future and/or remove him from the squad entirely.
Nike also had to issue a statement confirming that Greenwood is “no longer a Nike athlete” after he chose to wear a pair of their boots during the game.
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The 21-year-old is still technically only on loan at Getafe but United have already made clear he will not wear the famous red shirt again; it remains to be seen whether his transfer will be made permanent or will eventually move on to another club.
Meanwhile, back in Manchester, the Red Devils still aren’t out of the woods when it comes to controversy as yet another winger has found himself out of the squad as 23-year-old Brazilian, Antony, is spending time away from the club until further notice as his domestic abuse case continues.
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
18th September 2023 
