Greenwood Reggae Boyz status not just a signature away – Chung
Published:Wednesday | January 22, 2025 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
WHILE REPORTS from some English media are saying Marseille striker Mason Greenwood is just a signature away from switching his international allegiance from England to Jamaica, Jamaica Football Federation general secretary Dennis Chung is saying it is not as simple as that.
Numerous reports in England have indicated that all remains for the process to be completed is a signature from one of the former Manchester United forward’s family members to address a technicality.
Greenwood has been restricted from playing for England by the England Football Association since he was suspended on the back of charges of attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour three years ago.
Although the charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service and Greenwood moved from Manchester Unuted to Getafe in Spain and then Marseille in France to revive his career, he was told he would not be selected for the Three Lions again.
Since then, Greenwood has been rumoured to be switching allegiance to Jamaica and reports have emerged that upon completing the necessary paperwork, the forward will be available for Steve McClaren’s Reggae Boyz.
“It is the same situation. So nothing has changed,” said Chung.
“Back in the old days some people usually have two birth certificates and things like that. So we have to sort out all those things.
“But nothing has changed. We are basically waiting on a document. That is all we are waiting on but we have been waiting on that for a little while and there is still no timeline on when that documentation will be completed,” said Chung, refuting a report in the Daily Star that suggested Greenwood could be part of McClaren’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers in June.
The 23-year-old qualifies for the Reggae Boyz through his father, who was born in Jamaica, and he has only been capped once by England while under the age of 21, meaning he is eligible to switch allegiances.
Greenwood moved to Marseille from United last summer in a £27-million deal and is currently the leading scorer in Ligue 1 with 12 goals.