Marseille president Pablo Longoria has revealed that he consulted his mother before approving the controversial signing of former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood in 2024, calling it one of the toughest decisions of his career. He said he wanted an opinion completely detached from football, money and club interests before giving the green light.
Longoria explained that the club viewed Greenwood’s arrival as a huge sporting opportunity but carried out extensive due diligence on the case first. Greenwood was suspended by Manchester United in January 2022 following his arrest on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive behaviour, with all charges later dropped in February 2023 after key witnesses withdrew.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Longoria said he called his mother, Begona Longoria, a former prison system worker in Spain who once received a state medal for her service. After he laid out all the information, she advised him to go ahead with the signing, a verdict he valued because she had no sporting incentive and was thinking only of her son “as a man, not as a president.”
Longoria insisted he is at peace with the decision despite reputational risks and criticism, arguing that once you believe you have the full facts, you must deal with the matter openly and with “normality.” He also praised Greenwood as “a good kid” and expressed satisfaction with his performances, highlighting his defensive work and maturity as much as his goals.
Greenwood, who has consistently denied the allegations against him, never played again for Manchester United after his suspension. He spent the 2023/2024 season on loan at Getafe before completing a permanent move to Marseille, where he has scored 33 goals in 54 games and become the club’s leading scorer, later saying that leaving United was “the best decision for everyone” as he rebuilt his career.
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Marseille chief Pablo Longoria says he sought his mother’s advice before signing Mason Greenwood, calling it a tough but well‑researched decision he remains at peace with.
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Mason Greenwood, Pablo Longoria, Marseille, Manchester United, The Telegraph, Ligue 1, transfer controversy, Getafe, Vanguard News
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Troubled Napoli risk Champions League exit against Chelsea
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Troubled Napoli face Champions League exit vs Chelsea
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Napoli are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League as the troubled Italian champions face Chelsea on Wednesday amid a deep injury crisis and a faltering Serie A title defence. Sitting just inside the elimination zone with eight points from seven games after a frustrating 1–1 draw at FC Copenhagen, they must beat Chelsea to scrape into next month’s play‑offs.
The task is complicated by Chelsea’s own need for a win to stay in the top eight and secure direct qualification for the last 16. Napoli also come into the clash still hurting from a 3–0 defeat at Juventus that left Antonio Conte’s side nine points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.
Conte, who has battled an injury‑ravaged squad all season, praised his players’ resilience after Sunday’s loss, noting they even won the Italian Super Cup “in an emergency” that has only worsened. Romelu Lukaku’s long hamstring lay‑off only ended with a substitute appearance in Turin, while academy product Antonio Vergara had to start in place of injured Italy winger Matteo Politano and new signing Giovane debuted despite Conte barely seeing him train.
Napoli are also without towering goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic‑Savic due to a hamstring injury, and winger David Neres has flown to London for ankle surgery expected to rule him out until April. Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been sidelined since October after right hamstring surgery, and Andre‑Frank Anguissa missed the Juve game with back problems despite being close to a return from another hamstring issue.
Conte likened the situation to “navigating in open waters with very high waves” but insisted the team will not abandon the fight, even as players “jeopardise their physical health” by playing every three days with little rotation. The one bright spot is Lukaku’s return, with the Belgian replacing De Bruyne in Napoli’s European squad and eyeing a chance to make amends against a Chelsea side where he previously struggled.
Last season, 11 points were enough to avoid elimination, so a win would almost certainly see Napoli through and offer much‑needed relief to a creaking squad. Anything less could confirm an early Champions League exit and deepen the pressure on Conte’s injury‑hit title defence.
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