Opposition is increasing among official Tottenham fans' groups regarding the appointment of Roberto de Zerbi as manager due to his controversial support for Mason Greenwood.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust convened an emergency board meeting on Monday night and subsequently reached out to the club to express its inability to support the appointment.
The organization disclosed to BBC Sport that it has received numerous emails from supporters raising concerns.
Alli Speechly, co-founder of Women of the Lane, also expressed opposition to the appointment, stating that she would cease attending matches as a result.
De Zerbi asserted that Greenwood "paid in a strong way" after transitioning from Manchester United to Marseille following the dismissal of charges against him, which included attempted rape and assault.
Spurs have finalized a long-term contract with the former Brighton and Marseille manager and are expected to announce him as Igor Tudor's successor in the near future. However, De Zerbi now faces a significant challenge to gain acceptance within the club as it fights to maintain its Premier League standing.
Why De Zerbi's Comments were Controversial
Greenwood was recognized as one of Manchester United's most talented young prospects when he was arrested at the age of 20 in January 2022. All charges against the former England international were dropped in February 2023. Following his departure from Old Trafford, Greenwood initially joined Getafe on loan before signing with Marseille in July 2024 for a fee reaching £26.6 million.
The transfer occurred 19 days after De Zerbi's appointment as manager of the Ligue 1 team. However, it was met with controversy in France, with the mayor, Benoit Payan, deeming the signing "unacceptable" and asserting that he did not want the club to face "shame". Nevertheless, Marseille proceeded with the acquisition, during which the 24-year-old scored 47 goals in 74 appearances across all competitions. Greenwood was also among Ligue 1's joint top scorers last season, alongside Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele, with 21 goals.
The statements that have provoked ire among many Spurs supporters were made in November. Prior to a Champions League match against Newcastle, De Zerbi was questioned by an English journalist regarding Greenwood's situation off the pitch.
"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 responded at a pre-match press conference. "All I can see is that Mason seems a good lad; he paid in a strong way for what happened. He has probably found the right environment for him here, which has given him affection and extended a helping hand. When I see him as a person, I feel sad for what has happened in his life, without delving into the specifics. The person I know here is significantly different from the portrayal, especially in England."
De Zerbi has been criticized for downplaying the allegations and portraying Greenwood as a victim.
'I Don't Want Him Anywhere Near My Football Club'
This is not the first instance of Tottenham facing significant backlash over a managerial appointment. In June 2021, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso. Fans raised concerns regarding the former Italy midfielder's controversial remarks on issues such as same-sex marriage and women in football. A #NoToGattuso hashtag quickly gained traction on Twitter, prompting the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust to engage with the club. Consequently, Tottenham distanced itself from Gattuso, stating he was not under consideration.
There are notable parallels to De Zerbi's situation. Trust secretary Tristan Foot conveyed to BBC Sport that they have taken into account supporters' complaints regarding the Italian and have had discussions with the club.
"We convened an emergency meeting last night," Foot stated. "This resulted in us communicating with the chief executive and reflecting the concerns expressed by our supporters, urging them to consider the club's core values." Club sources informed BBC Sport that De Zerbi's remarks concerning Greenwood were factored into the decision-making process surrounding his appointment.
Women of the Lane is among several official Spurs supporters' groups that have raised concerns on social media in recent days. Other groups, including Proud Lillywhites—the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association—and SpursREACH, which represents fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, have also joined the opposition.
Speechly, who co-founded Women of the Lane two years prior, stated that this appointment would challenge the values and integrity of the club.
"The reality is that he hired Greenwood as a player and then continued to publicly endorse and support him. For me, that's simply unforgivable. I believe it reflects De Zerbi's character. I do not want him associated with my football club. This is about our feelings, our values, our integrity, and fundamentally, it's about safety—ensuring women feel secure around men."
Speechly further emphasized that appointing De Zerbi would undermine the club's efforts to establish relationships with minority groups. "Actions speak louder than words," she remarked. "Regarding my connection with the club, this has significantly affected it. Honestly, I have no intention of attending the stadium if they proceed with De Zerbi's appointment."
Foot reiterated that the Trust shares similar concerns about the club's integrity. "We believe our club should reinforce values of equality and respect," he remarked. "This appointment, among many alternatives, appears to contradict that principle. We have communicated to the club that should they proceed with De Zerbi's appointment, we will release a formal statement indicating our serious concerns."
Tottenham Hotspur has been approached for comment.
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