Roberto De Zerbi, the new manager of Tottenham Hotspur, a club mired in a relegation battle in the English Premier League (EPL), has publicly apologized for comments that appeared to defend a former player embroiled in sexual assault allegations.
In an interview published on the club's official website on Friday, De Zerbi said, "I apologize to everyone who was hurt by my comments. I never intended to trivialize violence against women or anyone else."
De Zerbi had previously drawn fierce criticism during his time as Marseille manager when he signed Mason Greenwood, who had been charged with attempted rape and assault, and remarked that Greenwood "is a good young man who has paid a heavy price for what happened."
Addressing the backlash, De Zerbi said, "I have always stood on the side of those who need protection and fought for those in danger. I have a daughter myself, so I am very sensitive to these issues."
