Roberto De Zerbi 'not surprised' by Tottenham fans' backlash over Mason Greenwood comments

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsPL PredictionsIntroducing 'The Ref'Analysing the Title RaceRoberto De Zerbi ‘not surprised’ by Tottenham fans’ backlash over Mason Greenwood commentsThe Italian head coach spoke to the media for the first time as Tottenham head coach on Friday. Lou Benoist / AFP via Getty Images Share full articleTottenham Hotspur head coach Roberto De Zerbi has said he was “not surprised” by the backlash from supporters over his public backing of Mason Greenwood. De Zerbi was Marseille head coach when they signed Greenwood from Manchester United in September 2024. Greenwood was arrested while playing for United on January 31, 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault, and further arrested on February 1, 2022 on suspicion of sexual assault and making threats to kill. He was charged in October 2022 with one count of attempted rape, one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. All three charges related to the same woman. Greenwood had been due to stand trial in November 2023, but the charges were discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in February 2023. The CPS said, “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.” Greenwood denied all allegations against him. In November 2025, De Zerbi described Greenwood as “a good person”, adding, “It saddens me what happened to him because I know a very different person from the one portrayed in England”. Before signing a five-year contract as Tottenham head coach on March 31, three supporters’ groups urged the club not to appoint the Italian, citing his historical support for the one-time England international forward. After his appointment, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust called on De Zerbi to reaffirm values of “equality, respect, and integrity … backed by meaningful action, including visible and sustained support for women’s charities and organisations working to combat violence against women”. After addressing the backlash in his first public interview, released on Tottenham’s club channels, the Italian was asked whether he was surprised by the public backlash in his first press conference as head coach on Friday afternoon. “I wasn’t surprised,” the 46-year-old replied, speaking in his native Italian which was translated by The Athletic. “I was a bit sad and sorry it happened, because I’m sorry if somebody took offence. “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. “And so 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 was then asked whether he hopes Spurs fans will accept his apology. “Yes, also because I’m not going to go back over this topic,” he said, again in Italian. “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.” The former Brighton and Hove Albion coach will take charge of Tottenham for the first time on Sunday, when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland. Following West Ham United’s 4-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, Spurs are 18th in the Premier League, in the relegation zone for the first time this season. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Elias Burke is a football writer who regularly covers Tottenham Hotspur. He has previously covered U.S. soccer, West Bromwich Albion and Derby County for The Athletic. Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasBurke