The only way anyone here can honestly say it was the 'right decision' from an ethical perspective would be if they were privy to exactly what the new material or contextualizing information relating to the initial (yes, shocking, we've all seen/heard it and we all supported his suspension at the time) evidence shows. We know the witness wanted to drop the case long before the CPS dropped it, and it was only (CPS themselves state this) by 'new evidence' coming to light that it was deemed not in the public interest to pursue. That is, unless you want to exclude every footballer whose behaviour corresponds to what has actually been corroborated in different statements, i.e. formally unfaithful and some level of verbally abusive. If that is indeed the standard, then how stringent are those codes of practice to be? It isn't even the worst idea in principle but it would need to be properly codified with the PFA and independent tribunals re. bringing the sport into disrepute (i.,e. does clear evidence of using strongly misogynistic language entail an automatic suspension; how does this fit into privacy laws if it happens in private without consent for recording and is shared etc?).
In terms of that 'some degree', I'm not referring to the tape, which is obviously worse than that, simply because the club investigation and the CPS decision require us to (potentially) reframe how we see this tape. The context could have a negligible impact, in which case I would be more supportive of this decision (as would a number of other people on the board and on social media), but due to a range of factors we- and i mean all of us, except for those closest t the investigation or to MG/ the young woman - can only speculate on, that evidence hasn't been made public. It's as unhelpful to presume that this is because 'their story would fall apart', as it is 'because it makes her look bad'. Without full background on the case, rather than the dribs and gossips, this isn't clear, and therefore shouldn't be used against either party.
The 'independent investigation' call for in certain quarters seemingly wouldn't have persuaded many people if it had come to the same conclusions, because, as a number of statements here admit -in some show of honesty at least- they would have supported removing MG before any investigation was launched, i..e no matter how comprehensive the report or removed from any 'self-interest' those considering the evidence. That's unfortunate, since a n even fuller review (without details having to be made open and potentially exposing salacious details harmful to either or their family) might have reassured a few external parties or, of course made the decision to let him go clearer early on... At the moment, without full facts, it's largely been a court of pressure groups and creating outrage. This isn't how we should deal with employment, nor public reputation nor, and I'm not being disingenuous, with alleged sexual assault/ These things should be investigated more often, as rigorously as possible, and justice that satisfies the 'law', the 'public' and, where allegations are proven, the victims in a less equivocal way provided.