What Roberto De Zerbi Actually Said About Mason Greenwood and Why It Angered Tottenham Fans

A segment of Tottenham Hotspur supporters is voicing strong opposition to the potential appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as manager, citing controversial remarks he made regarding Mason Greenwood while at Olympique Marseille. However, a closer examination of the original statements and their context is crucial for understanding the situation.

The Italian coach is considered a frontrunner to succeed former Juventus boss Igor Tudor. Despite his strong candidacy, the potential hiring is fraught with challenges. Beyond any resistance he might have to taking a new role late in the season, De Zerbi is facing significant pushback from various Spurs fan groups.

Notably, the Proud Lilywhites group issued a statement condemning his possible arrival. They emphasized, "when someone in that position publicly defends a player like Mason Greenwood, and frames it in a way that downplays the seriousness of what happened, it matters, not just in isolation, but in what it signals."

De Zerbi's Remarks Under Scrutiny by Tottenham Supporters

De Zerbi's comments in question were made in November 2025 during a press conference preceding a Champions League match between Marseille and Newcastle United. Many circulated versions of his statement were re-translated multiple times (from Italian to French, then to English), making it essential to refer back to his precise words for accuracy.

The specific question posed by a British journalist was: "This is the first time Mason Greenwood has played against an English team since he moved away from England and we don’t see much of him in the UK. Can you give us an idea how his life is developing, how are things for him off the pitch since he moved?”

In response to this query, De Zerbi stated:

“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. All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad, he paid in a strong way for what happened, and he has probably here found the right environment for him, which gave him affection, and held out its hand to him. He has behaved well since being here. He has an introverted, rather closed character, but I met his family and they are good people. When I look at him as a person, I don’t see… 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.”

For context, Mason Greenwood was arrested in January 2022 on suspicion of rape, assault, sexual assault, and threats to kill. All charges were subsequently dropped in April 2022 after the accuser requested the police cease their investigation. He later reconciled with the same partner, and they welcomed a child in July 2023.