Tottenham Supporters' Trust says it cannot support De Zerbi appointment

4 hours ago 5

It is not the first time Tottenham have faced major opposition to a managerial appointment.

In June 2021, following the departure of Jose Mourinho, Spurs were linked with Gennaro Gattuso.

Some fans on social media referenced controversial comments the former Italy midfielder had previously made on subjects such as same sex marriage, external, and women in football.

A #NoToGattuso hashtag began trending on Twitter, and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust raised the issue with the club.

Tottenham backed away and said Gattuso was not being considered as a candidate.

There are parallels with De Zerbi.

Trust secretary Tristan Foot told BBC Sport that it had taken on board complaints from supporters about the Italian and had been in touch 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."

Club sources told BBC Sport that De Zerbi's comments on Greenwood had been considered as part of the process to appoint him and had formed part of discussions.

Women of the Lane is one of a number of official Spurs fans' group to have voiced concerns across social media in recent days.

It was joined by Proud Lillywhites - the LGBTQI+ Supporters' Association, and SpursREACH, which promotes the values of fans from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds.

Speechly, who helped to create Women of the Lane two years ago, said the appointment brought into question the values and integrity of the club.

"The fact is that he hired him [Greenwood] as a player," Speechly said.

"And then continue to publicly back him and support him, sympathise 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 added 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 issued a statement, external after De Zerbi's appointment, stating his comments 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."

Tottenham Hotspur have been approached for comment.

Read Entire Article
Sehat Sejahterah| ESPN | | |