2 months ago
The caller Tottenham caput coach, Roberto De Zerbi, has apologised for his past comments connected Marseille guardant Mason Greenwood and insisted he would ne'er intentionally downplay nan rumor of unit against women.
Spurs turned to De Zerbi aft interim caput coach Igor Tudor was sacked connected Sunday pinch nan Premier League outfit successful 17th position and only 1 constituent supra nan bottommost 3 aft a disastrous campaign.
However, De Zerbi faced guidance from instrumentality groups Proud Lilywhites, Women of nan Lane and Spurs Reach successful nan days earlier his assignment owed to his remarks arsenic Marseille caput coach astir Greenwood, who faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and battle occasioning existent bodily harm successful 2022 earlier they were dropped.
In his first question and reply pinch Tottenham’s in-house media, De Zerbi said: “I would for illustration to reply your mobility successful Italian because I want to beryllium clear. I person ne'er wanted to downplay nan rumor of unit against women aliases unit against anyone much broadly.
“In my life, I person ever stood up for those who are much vulnerable, much fragile, I’ve consistently fought and taken a guidelines to beryllium connected nan broadside of those who are astir astatine risk.
“Those of you who cognize maine well, will cognize that I americium not nan benignant of personification who makes compromises to triumph much games aliases to triumph an other title.
“I americium sorry if I offended anyone’s emotion pinch this taxable matter – I person a girl and I’m very delicate to these things, and I ever person been. I dream that complete clip group will get to cognize maine amended and will understand that astatine that infinitesimal I didn’t meant to return a stance.”
How do I motion up for athletics breaking news alerts?
ShowDownload nan Guardian app from nan iOS App Store connected iPhone aliases nan Google Play shop connected Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.
If you already person nan Guardian app, make judge you’re connected nan astir caller version.
In nan Guardian app, pat nan Profile settings fastener astatine nan apical right, past prime Notifications.
Turn connected athletics notifications.
Greenwood was charged successful October 2022 pinch attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and battle occasioning existent bodily harm complete allegations relating to a female aft images and videos were posted online.
The Crown Prosecution Service dropped nan charges successful February 2023 owing to “a operation of nan withdrawal of cardinal witnesses and caller worldly that came to light”, which meant location was “no realistic imaginable of conviction”. The erstwhile Manchester United forward, who denied nan charges, has since resumed his profession and joined Marseille successful 2024.
In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood arsenic a “good guy”, who had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens maine what happened successful his life, because I cognize a wholly different personification than nan 1 who was described.”
After speculation astir De Zerbi intensified past week, Proud Lilywhites, Women of nan Lane and Spurs Reach posted “No to De Zerbi” statements, but nan Italian was subsequently appointed.
Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust instantly stated they had “serious and far-reaching concerns” pinch De Zerbi being hired, but nan Press Association understands Spurs cautiously considered and discussed nan comments and sentiments astir Greenwood pinch De Zerbi during negotiations.
