The Crown Prosecution Service said the charges were dropped after key witnesses withdrew their involvement.

Charges of attempted rape and assault against Manchester United footballer Mason Greenwood have been dropped due to the withdrawal of key witnesses, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced Thursday, adding that a charge of controlling and coercive behavior has also been dropped.

Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 amid allegations surrounding the emergence of images and videos on social media. He was later charged in October with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault of a woman occasioning actual bodily harm.

The Guardian reported that the 21-year-old player, who was suspended by Manchester United from playing or training with the club within hours of the allegations surfacing, denied the charges of attempted rape.

A spokesperson in the CPS said: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review. In this case, a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.

“In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case. We have explained our decision to all parties. We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”

Greenwood, who has played once for England, said in a statement he was “relieved that this matter is now over” and thanked his family and friends for supporting him.

A Manchester United statement released Thursday said the Old Trafford club had noted “the decision of the Crown Prosecution Service that all charges against Mason Greenwood have been dropped”.

“The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps. We will not make any further comment until that process is complete,” it added.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it was “only fair” to announce Greenwood would no longer face criminal proceedings.

Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s head of public protection said the decision to drop charges had “not been taken lightly” and reiterated “GMP’s commitment to investigating allegations of violence against women and girls and supporting those affected, regardless of their circumstances, throughout what can be a hard and upsetting time for them”.

“If you feel you are or might be a victim, please don’t let this case put you off asking for help,” Kerr added.