LONDON (AP) – Tottenham’s new manager Roberto De Zerbi has insisted he did not intend to “downplay the issue of violence against women” by expressing support for players who have previously been accused. crime Including attempted rape.
Italian manager arrives at Tottenham His signing of a five-year deal on Tuesday has not gone down well with many of the club’s supporters, who are unhappy with his past comments about former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood, whom he coached at Marseille.
Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling/coercive conduct and assault after images and videos were posted online. british prosecutor the charges were dropped He will be indicted in February 2023 on “a combination of key witness recantations” and “no realistic prospect of conviction.”
During their time together at Marseille, de Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good man” who “paid dearly for what happened”, adding: “I regret what happened in his life, because I know a person who is not as described, especially in England.”
This disappointed several Tottenham fan groups, including Women of the Lane and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust, who questioned his judgment and values.
In his first interview as Tottenham manager with the club’s internal media on Thursday, De Zerbi responded to a question about his comments about Greenwood in his native Italian, saying, “I just want to be clear.”
“I have never wanted to minimize the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly,” he said. “Throughout my life, I have always stood up for the weaker, the more vulnerable, always fought and stood by those most at risk.
“Those who know me well know that I’m not the kind of person to compromise in order to win more matches or win additional titles. I’m sorry if I offended anyone on this subject. I have a daughter and I’m very sensitive about these things and always have been.”
De Zerbi said he hopes that over time “people will get to know me better and understand that I didn’t mean to have an attitude at that moment.”
De Zerbi takes over a team that is one of the giants of English football, but with seven games left they sit just one point above the bottom three and are in danger of being relegated.
Tottenham have been a fixture in England’s top division since 1978.
“I signed a five-year contract because it’s a big challenge for me,” De Zerbi said. “And no matter what, I’m going to be Tottenham manager from next season.”
“It’s a difficult moment for everyone at Tottenham, but I think we have the right qualities to get through this moment.”
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