Mason Greenwood, a football player for Manchester United, was dragged into court on Monday after being accused of trying to rape a teen, acting in a dominating and coercive manner, and assaulting a student.
On Monday, the England winger showed up in the Manchester Magistrates' Court dock decked out in a grey hoodie and jogging trousers.
Before the court heard the specifics of the charges against him, he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, and residence at the outset of the session.
District Judge Mark Hadfield then put the case on hold until later Monday morning, when his bail conditions will be set.
The footballer was initially detained in January in connection with claims involving a young woman after pictures and videos were uploaded online.
He had been on bail since then but was arrested in the Trafford area on Saturday for an alleged breach of conditions.
Shortly after 4pm on Saturday, the Crown Prosecution Service said it had authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Greenwood.
According to Daily Mail, Janet Potter, who is the deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the CPS North-West, said, “The Crown Prosecution Service has today authorised Greater Manchester Police to charge Mason Greenwood, 21, with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
“All three counts relate to the same complainant.
“Specialist rape prosecutors from CPS North West’s complex casework unit authorised the charges following a review of a file of evidence received from Greater Manchester Police.”
The attempted rape is alleged to have taken place in October 2021.
The controlling and coercive behaviour relates to a period between November 2018 and October this year, while the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm is dated December 2021.
Ms Potter added, “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has a right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice those proceedings.”
Within hours of the allegations surfacing online at the beginning of the year, the forward – who has made one appearance for England – was suspended from playing or training with the Old Trafford club.
Nike suspended and later terminated its sponsorship deal with Greenwood, while Electronic Arts confirmed his removal from active squads on its Fifa 22.