Opposition to De Zerbi Appointment Grows Among Tottenham Fans
Mason Greenwood was among the first players signed by Marseille following Roberto de Zerbi's appointment in 2024.
Official Tottenham Hotspur supporters' groups have expressed increasing opposition to the appointment of Roberto de Zerbi as manager, citing his controversial support of Mason Greenwood.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust convened an emergency board meeting on Monday night and subsequently contacted the club to state that it cannot support the appointment.
The group informed that it had received "a lot of emails from supporters" raising complaints regarding the decision.
Ali Speechly, co-founder of Women of the Lane, also voiced her group's opposition to the appointment and announced she will cease attending matches over this issue.
De Zerbi has publicly stated that Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after leaving Manchester United for Marseille following the dropping of charges against him, including attempted rape and assault.
Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed the former Brighton and Marseille manager as Igor Tudor's successor on a five-year contract.
However, De Zerbi faces challenges in gaining acceptance as the club strives to maintain its Premier League status.
Spurs Fan Groups Criticize De Zerbi Appointment
Why De Zerbi's Comments Were Controversial
Greenwood was regarded as one of Manchester United's most promising young players when, at age 20, he was arrested in January 2022.
All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023.
Greenwood subsequently left Old Trafford to continue his career, initially joining Getafe on loan before transferring to Marseille in July 2024 in a deal reportedly worth up to £26.6 million.
The transfer was finalized 19 days after De Zerbi was appointed as Marseille's head coach.
The signing was controversial in Marseille, with the city's mayor, Benoit Payan, describing the acquisition of Greenwood as "unacceptable" and stating he did not want the club "to be covered in shame." Despite this, Marseille proceeded with the signing.
Greenwood, now 24, has scored 47 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions for Marseille.
Alongside Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, Greenwood was Ligue 1's joint top scorer last season with 21 goals.
The comments that have provoked anger among many Spurs fans were made in November.
Prior to a Champions League match against Newcastle, De Zerbi was asked by an English journalist about Greenwood's off-pitch situation.
"I don't want to get involved in anyone's private life. I don't even get into the private lives of my children, because I want to give everyone their freedom," De Zerbi said at a pre-match news conference.
"All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened.
He has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him.
When I look at him as a person, I feel sad for what happened in his life, without getting into the details.
Because the person I know here is very different to the one that has been described, especially in England."
De Zerbi has been accused of downplaying the allegations and portraying Greenwood as a victim.
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'I Don't Want Him Anywhere Near My Football Club'
This is not the first time Tottenham have encountered significant opposition to a managerial appointment.
In June 2021, following Jose Mourinho's departure, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso.
Some fans on social media referenced controversial comments the former Italy midfielder had made on topics such as same-sex marriage and women in football.
A #NoToGattuso hashtag trended on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised concerns with the club.
Tottenham subsequently stated that Gattuso was not being considered as a candidate, effectively withdrawing from the pursuit.
There are parallels with the current situation involving De Zerbi.
Trust secretary Tristan Foot told that the group had taken into account supporters' complaints about the Italian coach and had communicated with the club.
"We had an emergency meeting last night," Foot said. "That resulted in us writing to the chief executive and echoing those concerns and inviting them to reflect on the club's values."
Club sources informed that De Zerbi's comments on Greenwood were reviewed as part of the appointment process and featured in internal discussions.
Women of the Lane is among several official Spurs fan groups that have expressed concerns on social media in recent days.
They have been joined by Proud Lillywhites - the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association, and SpursREACH, which advocates for fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.
Speechly, who helped establish Women of the Lane two years ago, stated that the appointment raises questions about the club's values and integrity.
"The fact is that he hired him [Greenwood] as a player," Speechly said.
"And then continue to publicly back him and support him, sympathise with him.
For me, that's just unforgivable. I think that speaks to the character of De Zerbi.
I don't want him anywhere near my football club.
This is about how we feel, this is about values, this is about integrity and, ultimately, it's about safety.
It's about women feeling that they are safe around other men."
Speechly added that the appointment undermines the club's efforts to build relationships with minority groups.
"Actions speak louder than words," Speechly added.
"In terms of my relationship with [the club] it's massively impacted it.
In all honesty I don't have any intention now of going to the stadium if they do appoint De Zerbi."
Before De Zerbi's appointment was announced, Foot stated that the Trust shared concerns regarding the club's integrity.
"We think that our club should reassert values of equality and respect," he said.
"This appointment, out of many that they could have made, seems to be the one that could fly in the face of that.
We have told the club that if they go ahead with the appointment, that we will issue a formal statement reflecting the serious concerns we have."
Tottenham Hotspur have been approached for comment.
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