Roberto De Zerbi apologises for Mason Greenwood comments after fierce backlash | Football | Sport
The former Manchester United striker was charged with attempted rape, assault and controlling and coercive behaviour in 2022. The following year, those charges were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. Greenwood, who denied the charges, has since resumed his football career at Marseille and was a regular starter under De Zerbi during the Belgian’s tenure.
Last year, De Zerbi insisted Greenwood was a ‘good guy’ while suggesting he had paid a ‘heavy price’ over the criticism he had received after he was charged.
Greenwood’s move to Marseille in 2024 sparked major controversy in France but De Zerbi refused to criticise him during his time in charge of the club.
Following his appointment as Tottenham‘s new manager, he was slammed by several fan groups as a result of his prior comments about Greenwood.
De Zerbi has since apologised, saying in his first interview as Spurs head coach: “I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly.
“In my life, I’ve always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile. I’ve consistently fought and taken a stand to be on the side of those who are most at risk.
“Those of you who know me well will know that I’m not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title. I’m sorry if I offended anyone’s feeling with this subject matter.
“I have a daughter and I’m very sensitive to these things, and always have been. I hope that over time people will get to know me better and will understand that at that moment I didn’t mean to take a stance.”
De Zerbi previously said that he was ‘saddened’ by the way Greenwood was portrayed in England after he was charged in 2022.
“He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price,” said the former Marseille boss in November.
“He has found the right environment for him. We have lent him a hand and given him affection. He’s a little bit introverted but I know him and his family.
“It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described in England.”
When asked about a proposed deal for Greenwood before he signed for Marseille, De Zerbi said: “Mason is a world-class player, but we have not recruited him yet.
“I don’t know what happened, but I am not used to get involved in my players’ private life. If he comes here, you have to know that I treat all my players like my sons. I can tell them off in private, but I would never attack them in public.”
