The Jamaica Football Federation is open to the idea of Mason Greenwood representing the men’s national team — but a decision is yet to be made.
Greenwood is on loan at Spanish club Getafe from Manchester United, after the Premier League side made a U-turn on keeping him at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old is eligible to play for Jamaica via his father, Andrew, and has been praised by Heimir Hallgrimsson, the national team’s head coach.
“I don’t think I am different from all coaches in the world,” Hallgrimsson said when asked about Greenwood on Monday. “We would like to have the best talent on our teams.
“If he gets his former fitness and his former level, that level could help Jamaica, and all coaches would want to have good players in their team and we are no different.
“Of course, he will come with some baggage, but it is premature to talk about players that are not here. But whatever happens will happen. I want the best players with the best abilities playing for my team.”
Greenwood scored his first goal for Getafe in a 2-2 draw away to Celta Vigo on Sunday in what was his first start for the La Liga club.
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United announced in August that the forward would no longer play for the club.
This decision was made following a lengthy internal investigation, which started in February after the UK Crown Prosecution Service discontinued its case against Greenwood for attempted rape, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour. Greenwood denied all the charges.
FIFA rules state that players can switch international allegiance as long as they have made fewer than three senior appearances for one nation before the age of 21 and have not played for them for at least three years.
Greenwood has only represented England’s senior team once, coming on as a 78th-minute substitute away to Iceland on September 5, 2020 during a UEFA Nations League A match.
However, Greenwood and Manchester City’s Phil Foden were sent home from the squad by Gareth Southgate, England’s head coach, on September 7 after breaching Iceland’s COVID-19 guidelines.
Southgate labelled their behaviour “naive” and United released a statement saying they were “disappointed” with Greenwood’s actions. That was the last time Greenwood was selected to be part of an England squad.
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The day Man Utd staff confronted CEO Arnold over Greenwood, Antony and behaviour towards women
(Photo: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
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