Mason Greenwood has formally applied to turn allegiance to Jamaica, meaning he will no longer be eligible for England.
The form-formal Marseille forward is keen to reignite his international career with only three lions’ hats.
He was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault and was later charged with rape, engaged in controlled and coercive acts and assaults, and then prosecuted a year later.
With Thomas Tuchel announces his first England team next week, FA CEO Mark Bullingham reveals Greenwood is turning to Jamaica.
“So, my understanding is that he was asked to switch. It happened officially, so he couldn’t do it because you can only switch once,” said Bringham.
When asked if his ongoing omissions were the reason for his choice to switch loyalty, Bringham admitted Greenwood never officially left the campaign.
“No, we don’t actually have that kind of communication,” he said. “I know people ask Gareth about him and Gareth is not in his mind because he is not performing at that level, so I don’t know we have any communication with him.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a request or anything like that. It’s not what we’re going to do, so it’s his personal decision.”
Former Manchester United forward Greenwood has done a great job against Marseille, who has won 16 goals for the Ligue 1 Giants in 26 games, ranking second in the scoring list, behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.
One of his and only hats clashed with Iceland in September 2020, but after the game he and Phil Foden allegedly invited two women to the three Lions camps.
If awarded to transfer to Jamaica, it would see the striker reunited with former Manchester United assistant boss Steve McClaren, the current head coach of Reggae History.
Greenwood walked through Manchester United Academy and was touted as the club’s future long-term forward.
He won 35 games in 129 appearances before his career declined.
He is 17, a former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who made his Premier League debut with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
