In first Spurs interview, De Zerbi issues non-apology for Greenwood comments

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LILLE, FRANCE - MAY 4: Coach of Olympique de Marseille Roberto De Zerbi, Mason Greenwood of Marseille following the Ligue 1 football match between Lille OSC (LOSC) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at Stade Pierre Mauroy, Decathlon Arena on May 4, 2025 in Villeneuve d'Ascq near Lille, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Roberto De Zerbi sat down with Tottenham’s media team for his first interview as head coach of Tottenham Hotspur. The video, posted below, had the usual beats for a new manager: happy to be here, optimistic about the future, belief in winning games in staying up in a “difficult situation”.

And yes, he was directly asked about “comments [he] made while at Marseille” (asked without directly using the words “sexual assult,” “rape,” or even “Mason Greenwood. But everyone, including RDZ, knew exactly what it was about, and that’s really what this article is about because De Zerbi did his utmost best to give a non-apology ”apology” for both his pursuit of Greenwood as a player and for vigorously defending him in the wake of Greenwood’s sexual abuse allegations.

I’ve opted to start the video at the place where De Zerbi addresses his past comments, conducted in Italian.

“I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women, or violence against anyone more broadly. In my life I have 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 I’m not the type of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.

“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.“

Yeah. No, this doesn’t cut it at all. It has all the elements of a non-apology “apology” — I never meant to downplay sexual violence against women (even though that’s exactly what he did), I am sorry if my words offended people (but I’m not sorry for anything specifically I said), I’m the Father of Daughters™ (a very common trope by men who continue to speak apologia against sexual violence and rape), I hope people will get to know me better (buddy, we already know you and you have a RECORD of crappy behavior).

In the comments of a recent article, I said that RDZ can and should address his defense of Greenwood, and if he gives a mealy-mouthed word salad non-apology apology then we as fans have the rights to tell him, and the club, to go fudge themselves.

Well, that’s what I’m saying. Is this a start? Barely, and only if you’re inclined to be generous (which I am not). RDZ’s appointment has caused dismay, disappointment, and dis-affectation for a significant part of the Spurs fanbase — those who are victims of sexual abuse, and those who simply don’t want a sexual abuse and rape apologist to be the figurehead of the club going forward.

This statement does nothing to assuage the very real concerns the #NoToDeZerbi had about RDZ’s appointment. It’s a non-starter for me, and both RDZ and the club still have an enormous hill to climb to get me back on board. Winning a few games won’t cut it. Tottenham’s head coach needs to address it directly and unflinchingly, and the club needs to take concrete steps to make amends. Otherwise, this is meaningless.

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