{"id":5404,"date":"2026-04-02T18:07:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:07:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5404"},"modified":"2026-04-02T18:07:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T18:07:35","slug":"roberto-de-zerbi-responds-to-backlash-over-mason-greenwood-comments-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5404","title":{"rendered":"Roberto De Zerbi responds to backlash over Mason Greenwood comments | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Roberto De Zerbi managed Mason Greenwood at Marseille (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Roberto De Zerbi has apologised for his comments about Mason Greenwood in his first interview since being appointed Tottenham head coach.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi was appointed by Spurs on a five-year deal, replacing Igor Tudor after his ill-fated 44 days in charge of the north London club.<\/p>\n

The Italian arrives with his new side deep in a relegation battle and only one point outside of the Premier League\u2019s bottom three.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi impressed at Brighton before moving to Marseille, but his arrival at Tottenham received backlash from some of the fanbase due to comments he made about Greenwood while in France.<\/p>\n

The former Manchester United forward was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning bodily harm towards the same woman in 2022.<\/p>\n

Greenwood denied any wrongdoing, with the charges dropped in February 2023\u00a0before he was set to stand trial.<\/p>\n

The Englishman later moved to Marseille, where he worked under De Zerbi, with the Italian going on to describe Greenwood as a \u2018good guy\u2019 who had \u2018paid a heavy price\u2019.<\/p>\n

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Roberto De Zerbi apologised for his previous comments surrounding Mason Greenwood (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Addressing those comments on Thursday, De Zerbi said: \u2018I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly. <\/p>\n

\u2018In my life I have always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019ve consistently fought and taken a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk. <\/p>\n

\u2018Those of you who know me well, will know I\u2019m not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\tWhat did Roberto De Zerbi say about Mason Greenwood?\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
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After Marseille confirmed the signing of Greenwood, De Zerbi insisted the former United attacker was a \u2018good guy\u2019.<\/p>\n

He also suggested he was \u2018saddened\u2019 by how Greenwood had been represented by the press in his native England.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,\u2019 De Zerbi said in the media when asked about Greenwood last November.<\/p>\n

\u2018He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He\u2019s a little bit introverted but I know him and his family.<\/p>\n

\u2018It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u2018I\u2019m sorry if this offended anyone\u2019s feelings with this subject matter \u2013 I have a daughter and I\u2019m very sensitive to these things, and I always have been.<\/p>\n

\u2018I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that at that moment I didn\u2019t mean to take a stance.\u2019<\/p>\n

Looking ahead to a crucial run of fixtures between now and the end of the season, De Zerbi urged his side to play with \u2018courage\u2019 in their fight to avoid the drop.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think we have to be focused just on the Sunderland game,\u2019 he added. \u2018I don\u2019t want to speak about the schedule or the Brighton game or the Wolverhampton game. <\/p>\n

\u2018Game by game, we have to prepare the players to win the game and to be focused just on the game.<\/p>\n

\u2018We have to play with courage. We have to play with the qualities of the players, because if I accept this challenge, it\u2019s because I have a big confidence in the players and the style of the history of Tottenham football is a very clear style of play.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Italian also confirmed he would not walk away if his side were relegated, insisting: \u2018I signed five years of contract because for me it is a big challenge and I will be the coach of Tottenham next season, no matter what.\u2019<\/p>\n

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