We expect that views will be split on either side of the expression of interest in English striker Mr Mason Greenwood by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

Those opposed to any such development will point to the fact that Mr Greenwood was last year dropped by his club, Manchester United, and by the English national team after he was charged with one count of attempted rape, a count of assault, and repeatedly engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour. They would also likely remind that the JFF had, some years ago, made an unsuccessful attempt to woo Mr Greenwood to Jamaica’s senior national team.

People who would support the 21-year-old footballer’s inclusion in Jamaica’s national team will probably advance the argument that Mr Greenwood has not been found guilty of the charges. In fact, the Crown Prosecution Service last Thursday said the charges would no longer be pursued after “key witnesses” had withdrawn co-operation and “new material came to light”. Against that background, the prosecution said “There was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction,” and as such they “are under a duty to stop the case”.

Mr Greenwood, of course, is relieved, but there is no denying that he has already been tried in the court of public opinion and it will take a long time for him to overcome the stain that came with the charges.

Indeed, we saw this week that American sports apparel manufacturer Nike, which had dropped its sponsorship contract with Mr Greenwood after he was charged, issued a statement saying that he “is no longer a Nike athlete”.

Recall also that immediately after he was charged he was removed from the FIFA computer game and Football Manager series, while Manchester United stopped selling all merchandise with his name and face. Additionally, a number of his teammates unfollowed him on social media.

As it now stands, Mr Greenwood’s contract at Manchester United runs until June 2025 and the club, in the aftermath of the case being dropped, said it will conduct its own process before determining next steps.

That he is eligible to play for Jamaica is not in doubt, given his Jamaican parentage. Additionally, he has only one cap for England, which means that he has not yet hit the FIFA threshold of three competitive games to totally rule out a change of national team.

The big questions, though, are whether Mr Greenwood would want to join the Reggae Boyz and, if he is so inclined, how would he be received by Jamaicans. Additionally, is the JFF prepared to handle any flak that would come with his inclusion in the squad.

That scenario, though, is not new to the JFF, as former Reggae Boyz Messrs Jamie Lawrence and Marlon King have criminal records.

Readers will recall that long before Mr Lawrence was called up for the Reggae Boyz he had served a prison sentence in England as a teenager, after which he played for Leicester and Bradford in the English Premier League.

Mr King, on the other hand, had a number of convictions, including sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and placed on a sex offenders’ register. However, Jamaica forgave him and he was allowed to represent the country.

We are not here making a case for Mr Greenwood. We point only to the fact that this is not new territory for Jamaica. The outcome will be interesting.