Roberto De Zerbi has apologized for his comments about Mason Greenwood, saying he is sorry if his words offended anyone's feelings. The Tottenham head coach had described Greenwood as a 'good guy' who 'paid a heavy price' for past events, adding that he was saddened by how the player was represented by the press in England. According to De Zerbi, he did not intend to downplay the issue of violence against women, stating he has never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or anyone. He also noted he is sorry if this offended anyone's feelings with this subject matter, adding he has a daughter and is very sensitive to these things, and he always has been.
Mason Greenwood was charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behavior, and assault occasioning bodily harm in 2022, but he denied any wrongdoing. The charges were dropped in February 2023 before trial, and Greenwood later moved to Marseille, where he worked under Roberto De Zerbi.
I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly.
In defending his character, De Zerbi said he has always stood up for those who are more vulnerable or fragile. He added he is not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or titles. De Zerbi reiterated his sensitivity to issues of violence, noting he has a daughter.
Tottenham is deep in a relegation battle and one point outside the Premier League's bottom three, with De Zerbi appointed as head coach on a five-year deal. He urged his team to play with courage in their fight to avoid relegation. De Zerbi emphasized the need to focus just on the Sunderland game.
In my life I have always stood up for those who are more vulnerable, more fragile.
In context, Igor Tudor was Tottenham head coach for 44 days, highlighting the club's recent coaching instability as they navigate this challenging period. De Zerbi's apology comes amid this backdrop, as he seeks to balance addressing the controversy with leading Tottenham's survival efforts.
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 I’m not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.
He’s a good guy, he paid a heavy price for what happened, a very heavy price.
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.
I’m sorry if this offended anyone’s feelings with this subject matter – I have a daughter and I’m very sensitive to these things, and I 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.
I think we have to be focused just on the Sunderland game.
I don’t want to speak about the schedule or the Brighton game or the Wolverhampton game.
Game by game, we have to prepare the players to win the game and to be focused just on the game.
We have to play with courage.