Football is not merely a simple game consisting of ninety minutes. I do not know if it is necessary to constantly remind people of this, but let us not overlook it. Through clubs, sponsors, broadcasters, and fans, it is a massive cultural and social arena where millions of people generate collective values. Therefore, certain transfers are not just sporting decisions; they also reflect a moral, class-based, and social choice.

The transfer of Mason Greenwood is precisely such a choice.

At the heart of this debate is not simply the signing of a talented footballer, but the question of how an individual who dominated the public agenda with allegations of severe violence and coercive control against a woman is rehabilitated and “absolved” within the machinery of industrial football.

Saying “The Woman Forgave Him” Does Not Erase the Crime.

Since the transfer rumors began, one of the most common refrains I have heard is:

“He was cleared in court. The woman has already forgiven him. They have a child. Why should we care?”

While this sentence might appear reasonable at first glance, it actually repeats one of the most widespread societal misconceptions regarding violence against women.

In January 2022, millions of people witnessed horrifying evidence shared on social media. Photos showing signs of physical abuse and a leaked audio recording made headlines not just in the UK, but worldwide. Those recordings sparked a justified outrage within the football community.

Later, the legal process took a different turn. The prosecution announced that the case would not proceed due to the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material coming to light. This decision marked the end of the legal process, but it was by no means the end of the ethical debate.

Because violence against women is not a private or intimate matter between two people.

Under the shadow of a massive industry, unlimited capital, and societal pressure, the fact that a victim might feel compelled to maintain a relationship, withdraw a complaint, or declare “forgiveness” does not erase the reality of what occurred. Violence against women is a public and political issue. Collective memory and the pursuit of justice cannot be wiped clean by individual acts of forgiveness granted under asymmetric power relations.

The Hypocrisy of the Banners

Fenerbahçe is a club that prides itself on social responsibility projects at every opportunity taking the pitch behind massive banners reading “We Are Against Violence Against Women,” and claiming to be a pioneer through its investments in women’s sports branches. Yet, when it comes to a player who can produce results on the pitch, bringing money and trophies to the club, it becomes painfully evident that those banners are merely public relations (PR) material.

Let us look at this through the eyes of a female supporter: what will a woman, celebrating her team’s goal in the stands, feel as she watches the “heroization” of a figure whose name is etched into memory with allegations of severe violence and coercive control against his partner?

Seeing the moral values the club claims to officially defend traded for a few goals on the pitch and three points deeply damages the sense of safety and the bond of belonging felt by the female supporters in those stands.

The Deafening Silence in Turkey

Another disheartening aspect is that this transfer process met with a deafening silence and “football fetishism” in our lands faced an entirely different level of social resistance in other European leagues:

The Dignified Stance of Roma Fans: When AS Roma wanted to sign Greenwood, the club’s female supporters took immediate action. They raised their voices, pointing out that this move directly contradicted the club’s “Amami e Basta” (Love Me, That’s Enough) campaign against violence against women. This clear stance forced Roma to withdraw from negotiations entirely.

Reactions in Spain and France

During Greenwood’s debut for Getafe, protests erupted from the away stands. In France, Marseille Mayor, Benoît Payan, openly took a stand against the transfer, stating that signing Greenwood was completely contrary to the ethical values of the city and the club.

As a Fenerbahçe supporter, what hurts me most is not simply that this transfer took place, but the sheer number of people who willingly looked the other way and blindly defended this signing for the sake of results and success-oriented fandom.

In the world of those who view football as nothing more than eleven men on a pitch and a scoreline on a board, Greenwood’s goals may be applauded. But we will not forget those stains that have been swept under the rug. Because justice and women’s right to life are not worth less than any championship trophy.