Roberto De Zerbi says he hopes to move on from the comments he made about Mason Greenwood when he was manager of Marseille.
Several Tottenham supporters’ groups claimed that De Zerbi should not have been appointed as manager of the north London club after he said Greenwood was a “good guy” while suggesting he had paid a “heavy price” over the criticism he received after his arrest in 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault.
Greenwood was arrested on January 31, 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault. He was further arrested on February 1, 2022 on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill.
He was charged in the October with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Greenwood had denied the charges, which Greater Manchester Police later dropped.
De Zerbi’s comments have proved divisive among Spurs supporters, and he sought to clear the air by addressing the situation in his first interview as manager.
The Italian head coach apologised for his comments, in which he appeared to defend Greenwood, and said he had “always stood up for those who are more vulnerable”.
In his first pre-match conference since taking charge, De Zerbi said he was not surprised by the backlash and reiterated that he has “always been against any type of violence, especially against women.”
“I wasn’t surprised. I was a bit sad and sorry it happened, because I’m sorry if somebody took offence,” De Zerbi said.
“I must repeat what I said the other time. This topic is very close to me, I’m very sensitive about this topic, because of the person I am and because I have a daughter.
“I must repeat what I said the other time. I have always been against – always – any type of violence, especially against women. But not only violence, even just sexist jokes or other sexist behaviour.
“I have a daughter, and I’m directly affected by it.
“I know who I am, I know the type of person I am, so I wasn’t annoyed by the questions – I’m just sad about them.”
De Zerbi went on to add, when prompted, that he hoped supporters would accept his apology and that everyone could move on from the situation.
“Yes, also because I’m not going to go back over this topic,” he continued.
“I spoke about it in my first interview, I spoke about it today, and it wouldn’t be right to go back over this topic again.”
