Football Manager to reinstate Mason Greenwood

UPDATE 15/9/23: EA has now told Eurogamer that Mason Greenwood will return to the newly-retitled FIFA series in this year's EA Sports FC 24 - although not in the game's Ultimate Team mode.

"EA Sports FC 24 authentically reflects the active rosters of teams and clubs in the real world of football," an EA spokesperson said. "As he is now part of an active roster with Getafe CF, Mason Greenwood will be included in FC 24.

"As Greenwood was not part of an active roster at the time of our cut-off date for final team and player data, he will not appear in Ultimate Team at launch."

UPDATE 11/9/23: Konami has issued a statement on the potential return of Mason Greenwood to its eFootball game, and refused to rule out the possibility of the disgraced striker's return.

"We will take an appropriate action in consultation with licensors," a Konami spokesperson told Eurogamer, when asked whether Greenwood would be added back.

Last week, Football Manager developer Sports Interactive said it would return Greenwood to its game after the player's move to Spanish side Getafe. Eurogamer has separately contacted EA for word on Greenwood's status in this year's EA Sports FC24.

ORIGINAL STORY 7/9/23: Mason Greenwood will be reinstated in Football Manager, developer Sports Interactive has confirmed.

The move comes after the Manchester United player's recent loan to Spanish side Getafe, where he will play this season.

Greenwood was removed from Football Manager, EA Sports' FIFA and Konami's eFootball after his arrest by police in January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was subsequently charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Criminal charges against the player were dropped in February this year after the withdrawal of key witnesses, at which point Manchester United began its own investigation into the player. Greenwood's future at the club remained unclear until last month - when it ultimately decided Greenwood would leave, after widespread criticism.

"Players or officials serving indefinite suspensions from football, for any reason, are removed from Football Manager at the first opportunity," a Sports Interactive spokesperson told The Atlantic.

"When suspensions or playing restrictions are lifted, the player or official will be reinstated in-game at the next scheduled update."

Eurogamer has contacted EA and Konami for detail on whether they will now follow suit.