Marseille’s head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has expressed his support for Mason Greenwood as the forward prepares to face English opposition for the first time since allegations of sexual assault surfaced in 2022. Greenwood, who joined Marseille in July 2024 after a loan spell at Getafe, is set to start in the Champions League match against Newcastle on Tuesday. De Zerbi emphasized that Greenwood has ‘paid dearly’ for the accusations, which were dropped by prosecutors in February 2023, and has found a supportive environment in Marseille. ‘I regret what happened in his life because I know someone different from what’s being described, especially in England,’ De Zerbi stated. Greenwood has been in impressive form, scoring 11 goals this season and 33 overall for Marseille. De Zerbi praised his development, calling him a ‘complete player’ while urging the media to avoid excessive scrutiny. Despite his on-field success, Greenwood’s international future remains uncertain, with England manager Thomas Tuchel confirming he is not part of current plans. Teammate Angel Gomes, who played alongside Greenwood at Manchester United, noted their friendship but remained tight-lipped about Greenwood’s aspirations for an England recall. Marseille, with three points from four Champions League matches, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage, while Newcastle, sixth in the table, aim to continue their strong form.