Mason Greenwood. He ain’t no innocent soul. But whatever he did (or didn’t do), he has been hounded out of Manchester United by vocal supporters (not just women), big bucks sponsors who want everything squeaky clean. Oh – and a media suddenly waking up to an angry public leading the way on social media.  Their audience.  Now Brazilian star Antony, Mason’s former teammate, is caught up in similar accusations – which he vehemently denies. But could still cost him his place at club and country.

On the other hand, Gazza, who beat his wife senseless back in the day, is this week kissing royalty. A smiley, cherry-cheeked loveable rogue. Greeted by Prince William like.. well.. a long-lost brother.

Even after the shocking images of Sheryl all over Page 1 a generation ago. A career that only missed several beats in the drink tank.  Nobody called for his head for domestic violence.

Rangers never dropped him. England continued to pick him. The sports desks forgave him every offence. Just win us the World Cup please Gazza.

Turn the radio on any day and there’s his old teammate Ally McCoist still telling hilarious Gazza gags. What a guy. Even my old friend and colleague Piers Morgan (he is first class on both counts) tweeted how lovely it was to see Gazza “on top form, William being nice to him”.  Piers and others gave generously to one of Gazza’s many hospital stays. I did his “black and white dinner” for 1,000 avid fans when I was a Director at Trinity Mirror.

He was a lucky boy – today his career would have been flushed and finished. An army of baying columnists full of yards of bile.  Let’s see if they make the connection now. Compare Gazza to Spanish Kissgate. There isn’t one.  Imagine Sean Connery’s infamous “It’s OK to shlap a woman” interview playing now.  Gone, kaput.  No lifetime awards.  Not before time.

Sports desks despise their News colleagues – News tell unfortunate truths. Does anyone with desk experience believe the showbusiness writers didn’t know that Harvey Weinstein was the worst form of sexual predator – but kept quiet for fear of being cut out of the Hollywood pack?  All those actors too who complain about Press intrusion – or were they too busy down red-light side streets.  

Society won’t stand for violence against women, even the perception.  Media will monster you, brands run a million miles. Mason Greenwood had to go, maybe he can re-build his career and reputation abroad. I’m just surprised it wasn’t in Saudi Arabia where attitudes to women are still stuck in the 16^th century. He could have borrowed Jordan Henderson’s rainbow laces. And talked about “values and beliefs”.  Yeh, that might have worked.

Steve Sampson is a former Assistant, Northern and Scottish Editor of  The Sun newspaper, and a Director of Trinity Mirror publications. He was a launch presenter of Radio5 Live, founder of First Press Publishing and contributes to the BBC. He is an investor/owner across a series of digital initiatives, and a media adviser. He lists “Diplomacy” as a speciality.