Tottenham fans groups are increasingly opposing the appointment of Roberto de Zerbi as manager due to his contentious backing of Mason Greenwood.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust convened an urgent board meeting on Monday evening and has since reached out to the club to express its inability to back the appointment.
The organization informed BBC Sport that it had received “numerous emails from fans” filing complaints.
Ali Speechly, co-founder of Women of the Lane, stated that her group also objects to the appointment, and she will cease attending matches because of this matter.
De Zerbi remarked that Greenwood “paid heavily” after departing Manchester United for Marseille, following the dismissal of charges against him, which included attempted rape and assault.
Spurs have announced the ex-Brighton and Marseille manager as Igor Tudor’s successor on a five-year contract.
However, De Zerbi confronts a challenge to gain acceptance as the club struggles to maintain its Premier League position.
Greenwood was regarded as one of United’s brightest young talents when he was taken into custody in January 2022 at the age of 20.
All accusations against the former England international were dismissed in February 2023.
Greenwood departed Old Trafford to pursue his career, starting with a loan at Getafe before moving to Marseille in July 2024 in a transfer valued at up to £26.6m.
The transfer was finalized 19 days following De Zerbi’s appointment as manager of the Ligue 1 team.
However, it stirred debate in the French city. The mayor, Benoit Payan, stated that acquiring Greenwood was “unacceptable” and he did not wish for the club “to be cloaked in disgrace.”
Marseille proceeded with the transfer, and the 24-year-old has netted 47 goals in 74 matches in all competitions.
Together with Paris St-Germain’s Ousmane Dembele, Greenwood was the joint top scorer in Ligue 1 last season, netting 21 goals.
The remarks that upset numerous Spurs supporters were made in November.
Prior to a Champions League match against Newcastle, an English journalist inquired with De Zerbi about how the striker had been doing off the field.
“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 told 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 found the right environment for him here, 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 from the one that has been described, especially in England.”
De Zerbi is criticized for minimizing the accusations and portraying Greenwood as a victim.
This isn’t the first instance of Tottenham encountering significant resistance to a managerial appointment.
In June 2021, after Jose Mourinho left, Spurs were associated with Gennaro Gattuso.
Certain fans on social media cited contentious remarks the ex-Italy midfielder had made earlier regarding issues like same-sex marriage, externals, and women in football.
The hashtag #NoToGattuso started trending on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust addressed the matter with the club.
Tottenham distanced themselves and stated that Gattuso was not on their list of candidates. Similarities exist with De Zerbi.
Trust secretary Tristan Foot informed BBC Sport that they had considered fans’ complaints regarding the Italian 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.”
Sources at the club informed BBC Sport that De Zerbi’s remarks regarding Greenwood were taken into account during the appointment process and were included in the discussions.
Women of the Lane is among several official Spurs supporters’ groups that have expressed worries on social media lately.
It was accompanied by Proud Lillywhites—the LGBTQI+ Supporters’ Association—and SpursREACH, which advocates for the values of fans from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Speechly, who assisted in establishing Women of the Lane two years prior, stated that the appointment raised concerns regarding 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, sympathize 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 also stated that it undermines the work done by the club 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.”
The Trust released a statement, following De Zerbi’s appointment, declaring that his remarks were “unnecessary, ill-judged, and deeply offensive to a significant number of supporters.”
“It is concerning that the club would put us in this position right when the team needs fans the most,” it added.
“If those remarks reflect his genuine views, they cast a troubling shadow over the values of the club we love.
“The club must reassert its commitment to the values that fans hold dear—chief among them equality, respect, and integrity.
“Our preference would have been for a short-term appointment of an individual or individuals who understand the club.”
