Roberto De Zerbi Apologizes for Past Comments on Mason Greenwood

Tottenham's new head coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has issued an apology for his previous comments on Mason Greenwood, the Marseille forward who faced charges of attempted rape and assault in 2022.

De Zerbi faced backlash from fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, due to his remarks about Greenwood. In his first interview with Tottenham's in-house media, De Zerbi stated, 'I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly.'

He emphasized his commitment to standing up for vulnerable individuals and expressed regret for any offense caused by his previous statements. 'I am sorry if I offended anyone's feeling with this subject matter – I have a daughter and I'm very sensitive to these things, and I always have been.'

Greenwood was charged in October 2022 but the charges were dropped in February 2023 due to a lack of witnesses and new evidence. He has since joined Marseille and denied the allegations.

De Zerbi's appointment as Tottenham's head coach was met with criticism from the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust, who expressed 'serious and far-reaching concerns' over his comments on Greenwood.