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Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna faced questions over the controversial visit of Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to Portman Road, while it is all change at the Italian Football Federation after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Roberto De Zerbi strikes conciliatory tone

New Tottenham boss De Zerbi has apologized for his past comments on Greenwood and insisted he would never intentionally downplay the issue of violence against women.

Spurs turned to De Zerbi after sacking Igor Tudor, with the Premier League outfit in 17th position and only one point above the bottom three after a disastrous campaign.

However, De Zerbi faced opposition from some fan groups in the days before his appointment due to his remarks as Marseille boss about Greenwood, who faced charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm in 2022 before they were dropped.

“I have never wanted to downplay the issue of violence against women or violence against anyone more broadly,” De Zerbi said in his first interview with Tottenham’s in-house media, answering the question in Italian.

“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 that I am not the kind of person who makes compromises to win more games or to win an extra title.”

De Zerbi’s immediate focus is Tottenham’s current precarious position in the Premier League and he promised to be in charge next season “no matter what” – even if they are in the Championship.

The Italian said: “It is a difficult moment for everyone at Tottenham, but I think we have the right qualities to come out of this moment.”

Kieran McKenna urges fans to stay onside

Ipswich boss McKenna is confident the controversial visit of Farage to Portman Road last week will not undermine the club’s Premier League promotion bid.

A section of Ipswich fans criticised Farage’s visit before a rally at Trinity Park in Ipswich later the same day, while the club defended their decision to allow him to attend following the backlash on social media.

The club said in a statement that they remained “apolitical” and will engage with representatives “from across the political spectrum”.

McKenna’s side resume their automatic promotion bid at home to Birmingham on Monday.

“In terms of any concerns inside the training ground here, with the staff, with players, then honestly, I feel everyone is really together, really motivated and looking forward to the run-in,” the Town boss said.

“Our home support always has been fantastic in my time here. And the best way that we can bring that support behind the team and keep everyone noisy and pushing us, is to deliver a really strong performance in the absolute identity that the supporters can be proud of.”

All change for the Azzurri

Gabriele Gravina resigned from his position as president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following the country’s failure to qualify for this summer’s World Cup.

And former Italy goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon has stood down from his role as FIGC head of delegation.

The Azzurri suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Tuesday evening’s play-off final in Zenica.

Four-time champions Italy became the first former winners to miss out on three consecutive World Cups.

An election to appoint Gravina’s replacement will take place on June 22.

Rampant Barcelona march on

Barcelona thrashed Real Madrid 6-0 in front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at the Nou Camp, completing a resounding 12-2 aggregate victory to coast into the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.

Pere Romeu’s side go on to play Bayern Munich.

Lyon then saw off Wolfsburg 4-0 after extra-time to overturn their one-goal deficit from the first leg and secure a semi-final against holders Arsenal.

What’s on today?

Good Friday will see a full EFL fixture list, with Middlesbrough hosting promotion rivals Millwall in the Sky Bet Championship’s 12.30pm kick-off.

De Zerbi was confirmed as Spurs head coach on Tuesday on a five-year deal, which does not contain a relegation release clause, the Press Association understands, despite the north London club being only one point above the Premier League bottom three.

With seven games left this season, De Zerbi has limited time to work with a team without a league win in 2026, but has immediately been affected by an ongoing injury crisis in N17.

Senegal midfielder Sarr joined up with his national team last week and featured in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Peru, but was left out of the squad to face Gambia on Tuesday due to a shoulder injury, according to Senegalese media.

Any potential injury to Sarr would be untimely for De Zerbi, who has already discovered a lengthy list of absentees at Tottenham’s Hotspur Way training ground, with Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Mathys Tel and Mohammed Kudus all previously sidelined or currently unavailable.

It adds to an already-complicated start to life at Spurs after De Zerbi’s appointment faced opposition from sections of the fanbase.

Three supporters’ groups produced ‘No to De Zerbi’ statements last Friday, owing to past comments about Marseille forward Mason Greenwood.

Former Manchester United forward Greenwood was charged in October 2022 with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over allegations relating to a woman after images and videos were posted online.

The Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges in February 2023 owing to “a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light”, which meant there was “no realistic prospect of conviction”. Greenwood, who denied the charges, has since resumed his career and joined Marseille in 2024.

In November, De Zerbi described Greenwood as a “good guy”, who had paid a “heavy price” and added: “It saddens me what happened in his life, because I know a totally different person than the one who was described.”

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust explained on Tuesday they had “serious and far-reaching concerns” with this appointment.

PA understands Spurs carefully considered and discussed the comments and sentiments around Greenwood with De Zerbi during negotiations.

Later on Tuesday, Spurs’ LGBTQI+ fan group Proud Lilywhites said: “Whilst we disagree with the managerial choice, in terms of culture and competence, we will continue to support the players without pretending to be comfortable with the appointment.

“Staying silent is not the answer. But choosing when and where to be vocal matters.

“Managers come and go. Executives come and go. Players come and go. Fans remain. We are the constant in this club.

“We will continue to represent the views of our members to the club, alongside the other supporter associations.

“This is not noise or reaction. It is a considered position and it is not going away.”

Spurs Reach added: “As a group of fans who care about inclusion, representation and how people are treated, this one doesn’t fully sit right with us, both culturally and in the bigger picture.

“That said, we’re Spurs through and through… our support for the club we love, the community and each other goes way beyond any one appointment.”

It had been a rare positive week for Spurs with a spirited point at Anfield followed by a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid to ease the pressure on Igor Tudor, but the interim boss is firmly back under the microscope after a potentially pivotal defeat in N17.

After the team bus was greeted with partisan backing outside the ground, Tottenham started on the front foot and hit the crossbar twice during a largely dominant first half, only for Igor Jesus’ 45th-minute header to give Vitor Pereira’s team a precious half-time lead.

It was a sucker-punch and further blows followed, with Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White able to finish off a slick move after 62 minutes before substitute Taiwo Awoniyi sent Spurs supporters heading for the exits when he tapped in with three minute left.

Boos followed at full-time following another abject home loss, with Tottenham winless in 13 Premier League matches and down to 17th, only a point above West Ham, but Forest backed up Thursday’s Europa League progression with a crucial victory in the fight for survival.

A raucous atmosphere welcomed the arrival of the home team bus at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with an estimated 10,000 supporters lining the High Road to show their support.

After Kevin Danso beat Jesus to a dangerous cross early on, Tottenham built momentum and Archie Gray picked out Mathys Tel, who cut inside and had a shot deflected behind.

It sparked a spell of pressure, but Richarlison headed wide from Tel’s corner before Spurs hit the bar when a Danso long throw was inadvertently flicked on to the woodwork by Forest forward Jesus in the 16th minute.

Referee Michael Oliver waved away penalty appeals soon after on Pape Sarr and Micky van de Ven, deployed in an unorthodox left-back role.

The next action occurred in the Forest area when Richarlison flashed a ball across goal before the visitors stood firm amid a flurry of home corners.

Forest went close when Jesus knocked on Elliot Anderson’s header and Guglielmo Vicario – playing a day before a hernia operation – tipped over for Tottenham.

However, Jesus won the next battle as Gibbs-White’ corner to the back post was powered home by the Forest forward in first-half stoppage time.

As Spurs fans attempted to rally the team, Tel let fly from 25 yards and forced Metz Selz into a wonderful finger-tip save on to the bar.

VAR ignored penalty appeals by Tottenham captain Cristian Romero and Tudor made a double substitution.

Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall were sent on, but Forest went close to a second when Anderson found Neco Williams, but Vicario saved well.

A wild left-footed effort by Gray was followed by a lack of composure from the hosts and it ended with a second Forest goal.

Callum Hudson-Odoi raced past Pedro Porro and cut the ball back for Gibbs-White to fire through Vicario after 62 minutes.

Tottenham’s problems were compounded when Tel limped off, but Bergvall poked wide an Udogie cross to hint at a possible comeback.

But it was not forthcoming and, after Sarr had a volley blocked, Forest wrapped up a first league victory since January 25 when Awoniyi tapped in Williams’ cross to spark a mass exodus from the stands.

Goalkeeper Dylan Thompson, 18, put pen to paper on his first professional deal with Tottenham Hotspur last week.

The highly rated shot stopper - who joined The Lilywhites after moving from Norwich during the 2023/24 season - agreed the new deal at Hotspur Way.

He has previously been with Norwich in the academy youth set up and was a highly regarded prospect, being involved with the Canaries from the age of nine upwards.

But after going on trial at Spurs in 2023 ahead of a potential move to the Premier League club, he made the full time switch to North London and signed a two year Academy scholarship with them in July 2024 when he was just 16.

Now 18, his proud dad Eddie - who captained Gorleston - said on social media: "What a journey no more than you deserve worked so hard for this, enjoy it."

The highly-rated shot stopper spent time on loan at Barton Rovers FC last season.

Announcing the deal on the official Spurs website on Thursday, the club said: "We’re delighted to announce that Dylan Thompson has signed his first professional contract with the Club.

"The 18-year-old goalkeeper has produced a number of impressive performances for our Under-18s this season, having been part of our Under-17 Premier League Cup-winning squad last term.

"He joined our Academy from hometown club Norwich City midway through the 2023/24 campaign, having been with the Canaries since the Under-9s."

Born in Norwich and with links to Philadelphia, USA, Thompson made his Under-18s debut for Spurs in a 5-3 home win over West Bromwich Albion in April 2024.

He has made six appearances in the U18 Premier League for Spurs this season and also gained some youth international experience with England at an Under-15 training camp.

An eye-catching exchange occurred moments after full-time as boos echoed around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when Frank urged stand-in captain Van de Ven and Spence to applaud the home fans.

Van de Ven and Spence instead ignored the Spurs boss before they headed straight down the tunnel, with Frank left staring in their direction, but ahead of Tuesday’s visit of Copenhagen in the Champions League, the 52-year-old confirmed the matter was closed.

“Micky and Djed came into my office yesterday unprompted and said they want to say sorry for the situation,” Frank explained.

“They didn’t want it to look bad or disrespectful and all the kind of perceptions you can get in this media world. So, that was not their intention at all towards me, or the team or the club.

“They were just frustrated with the performance, the loss and the booing during the game.

“We all have a perception and we are very good to have that strongly that, ‘ah that is because whatever, because their mum wasn’t well or they didn’t like the head coach or they were irritated with the performance, or because they lost’. We are very, very good at that but none of us knows.

“That would be my first question to them – how and why? Of course I am happy, because I knew the question would come today, that they were coming in (already).

“It means they care and I think that is very good. They care about the team, the club and in this case me, so happy with that.

“That is very good and we had a good talk about a lot of things, but like everything we will keep it internally.

“Like I said to the players when I said before, it would be very, very, very unusual if I ever throw a player under the bus. We are all humans but I will always protect them.”

Spence is a doubt for the visit of Copenhagen after he sat out training on Monday along with Mohammed Kudus, but Frank confirmed they “could and should” feature on Tuesday.

Quizzed on if the matter with Van de Ven and Spence was now closed after both apologised, Frank added: “For me? Ah yeah. 100 per cent (closed).”

Even if Spence and Kudus do recover to face Copenhagen, Tottenham could be without 10 players due to Lucas Bergvall being ruled out with concussion.

Bergvall took a blow to the back of the head from a clearance by Enzo Fernandez in the fourth minute against Chelsea and despite being eager to carry on, Spurs’ medical staff decided otherwise after doing a concussion test.

The Swedish midfielder will now miss the visit of Copenhagen and the home clash with Manchester United on Saturday.

“Djed and Mo got a knock. They could and should be available,” Frank confirmed.

“Lucas got concussion. Big praise to the medical team because it’s a tricky situation to be in.

“Everything is on it so well done to them because the players’ health is the most important thing.

“He’s out for the next two games.”

Spurs addressed media speculation over a proposed £4.5billion takeover bid on Friday with a statement via the London Stock Exchange that majority owners ENIC – run by the Lewis family trust – “is not looking to sell its stake” in the club.

The statement confirmed an informal expression of interest to acquire shares in Tottenham by a consortium led by American tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick had been “unequivocally rejected” by ENIC.

ENIC issued a similar statement earlier this month which confirmed expressions of interest by Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited were also rejected.

Takeover speculation has increased since the sudden departure of Daniel Levy on September 4 after 24 years as chairman. It was a move designed to help Tottenham target “more wins, more often” according to a source close to the Lewis family.

Ahead of Saturday’s visit of Wolves, the third home fixture since a restructure of key roles which has left the Lewis family trust with greater power, Frank talked up their long-term ambitions.

Frank said: “Very, very invested. 120 per cent committed to the club.

“They really want to achieve something special, want to build and want to add. Again, I think I like the phrase building layers because you never go to the top. You can’t jump five steps. That’s impossible.

“So, building layers, I think, is very important. I think that’s also more organic and more sustainable over time, but they’re very, very focused on what they can do to help the club.”

Vivienne Lewis, the daughter of Joe Lewis, who was previously Spurs’ majority owner before his shares were moved into a family trust in 2022, has been in the directors box alongside chief executive Vinai Venkatesham in recent matches.

Even though she was always understood to be a prominent figure at the club behind the scenes, Frank welcomed her growing presence.

“I think it’s important to be visible,” Frank admitted.

“If you’re an owner or you’re a leader or you’re something else, I think it’s important to be visible so people can see you. So, I think it’s positive.”

Frank confirmed on Friday that “informal chats” had occurred with various members of the Lewis family, but a longer discussion with them to discuss their long-term plans is yet to be pencilled in.

He added: “The Lewis family has been very transparent, very good in the way they have communicated and it’s very clear the club is not for sale.

“Vinai on top of everything is very clear and for me personally, I feel in a very stable environment going into work every day.”

Asked about his dialogue with the Lewis family, Frank revealed: “We have had more informal chats.

“Of course it’s about football, the club and the team and all that, but the bigger plans is something we’re working along with and I think it’s important to get to know each other and align everything.”

Dominic Solanke will miss Saturday’s visit of Wolves with an ongoing ankle problem.

“It’s still not a big thing,” Frank insisted. “I expect him back as soon as possible.”

A report in The Sun on Thursday night stated American tech entrepreneur Earick was ready to launch an overall £4.5billion takeover bid for the Premier League club.

Spurs’ majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust, earlier this month rejected expressions of interest from Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited.

A club statement at the time insisted “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale” and a source close to the Lewis family reiterated that message on Thursday night to the PA news agency.

ENIC owns 87 per cent of Spurs, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subjected to the UK Takeover Code. This means any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the Takeover Code panel and made public.

On Friday, a statement by the board of Tottenham on London Stock Exchange read: “The club is aware of recent media speculation and confirms that its majority shareholder, ENIC Sports & Developments Holdings Ltd (“ENIC”), has received, and unequivocally rejected, an informal expression of interest in relation to a proposal to acquire the entire issued, and to be issued, share capital of the club from a consortium led by Mr Brooklyn Earick.

“The board of the club and ENIC reconfirm that Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale and ENIC is not looking to sell its stake in the club.”

The Sun claimed Earick – who was involved earlier this year in a failed acquisition of Formula E team Maserati – was set to launch a £3.3bn takeover bid with a number of NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2bn set aside as transfer funds for new boss Thomas Frank.

If the overall £4.5bn package were successful, it would have exceeded Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea for £4.25bn in 2022.

The Lewis family trust earlier this month asked Daniel Levy to step down from his role as Tottenham chairman after 24 years due to a desire for the club to target “more wins, more often”.

Levy revealed last year the club were in talks with “prospective investors” over selling a minority share, although discussions involving Qatar Sports Investments were denied.

PA understands the Lewis family trust is open to external investment, but the main focus is on providing the required support to new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and head coach Frank, all whom have been appointed in 2025, to help deliver greater on-field success.

A source close to the Lewis family told PA: “This unsolicited and unnecessary interest does nothing to change the family’s resolve and commitment to do whatever it takes to drive success on the pitch. The club is not for sale.”

Frank was asked about the takeover bid during Friday’s press conference, and said: “The Lewis family has been very transparent, very good in the way they have communicated and it’s very clear the club is not for sale.

“Vinai, on top of everything, is very clear and for me, personally, I feel in a very stable environment going into work every day.”

The Sun reports a consortium headed by tech entrepreneur Brooklyn Earick is looking to buy the club, weeks after two expressions of interest were “unequivocally rejected” by Spurs’ majority owners ENIC, which is run by the Lewis family trust.

A club statement at the start of September said “Tottenham Hotspur is not for sale” after Amanda Staveley’s PCP International Finance and a consortium of investors led by Dr Roger Kennedy and Wing-Fai Ng through Firehawk Holdings Limited were revealed to be interested in acquiring the north London club.

ENIC owns 87 per cent of Spurs, but due to the remaining shares being publicly traded, the club is subjected to the UK Takeover Code.

Therefore, any expression of interest or bid must be lodged with the Takeover Code panel and made public, but PA understands the Lewis family trust has not been made aware of any consortium being ready to buy Tottenham.

A source close to the Lewis family on Thursday night reiterated the club is not for sale.

The Sun claims American Earick – who was involved earlier this year in a failed acquisition of Formula E team Maserati – will launch a £3.3bn takeover bid with a number of NFL and NBA investors, with a further £1.2bn set aside as transfer funds for new boss Thomas Frank.

If the overall £4.5bn package were successful, it would exceed Todd Boehly’s takeover of Chelsea for £4.25bn in 2022.

The Lewis family trust earlier this month asked Daniel Levy to step down from his role as Tottenham chairman after 24 years due to a desire for the club to target “more wins, more often”.

Levy revealed last year the club were in talks with “prospective investors” over selling a minority share, although discussions involving Qatar Sports Investments were denied.

PA understands the Lewis family trust is open to external investment, but the main focus is on providing the required support to new non-executive chairman Peter Charrington, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and head coach Frank, all whom have been appointed in 2025, to help deliver greater on-field success.

Boss Thomas Frank had promised to have a decent crack at the competition this season and he was as good as his word as Joao Palhinha’s improvised strike, a Jay McGrath own goal and Brennan Johnson’s stoppage-time breakaway disposed of League One Rovers.

Frank named a strong side including Pedro Porro, Xavi Simons and Rodrigo Bentancur, and they should have led inside three minutes after Archie Gray fed Johnson down the right.

Mathys Tel only needed to get a touch on Johnson’s low cross six yards out but the French forward missed the ball completely.

Frank had given Doncaster permission to play their on-loan winger Damola Ajayi against his parent club.

That act of generosity almost backfired when the teenager hooked the ball across goal, only for Toyosi Olusanya to fluff his header at the far post.

Instead Spurs went ahead in the 14th minute after Rovers goalkeeper Ian Lawlor missed his punch at a corner.

Sean Grehan headed the loose ball off the line but only as far as Palhinha, who hooked an overhead kick back over the defender and into an empty net.

Spurs doubled their lead three minutes later when Wilson Odobert raided down the left and sent in another low cross.

Doncaster defender McGrath was unable to sort his feet out in time and succeeded only in bundling the ball into his own net.

The Premier League side sensed they could end the tie as a contest before half-time, but Lawlor made good saves to deny Tel and Gray while Bentancur’s header from a corner floated just wide.

And Rovers almost pulled one back before the break when Owen Bailey’s Paolo Di Canio-style volley was tipped onto a post by Spurs keeper Antonin Kinsky.

That was the only moment of mild peril Spurs faced, however, and Frank was able to shuffle his pack by sending on Lucas Bergvall and Richarlison for the final 30 minutes as well as handing a late debut to 16-year-old Luca Williams-Barnett.

They should have had a third when Bergvall drilled in a low cross from the right, but Tel knew it was not his night when he came up with another air shot from six yards.

Instead, Johnson wrapped things up in stoppage time after being sent racing through on goal by Bergvall.

Spurs sent out versatile attacker Ajayi on loan in July and in a strange twist of fate the 19-year-old will take on his current employees this week.

Ajayi made a name for himself last January with a superb debut strike in his only first-team appearance for Tottenham in a 3-0 win over Elfsborg and will aim to make more headlines after he was granted permission to feature for Rovers.

Frank said: “I think it’s OK. He’s on loan at another club.

“I know the Premier League have this (rule) if you’re on loan from a club, you’re not allowed to play.

“We decided to loan him out because it was good for his development. I’ve done that…a lot of times at Brentford, but we haven’t been that lucky to face one of our own players.

“It is what it is. I think it’s a great opportunity for him.”

Frank promised to select a “strong” Spurs team for the visit of Doncaster, but will shuffle his pack and confirmed Antonin Kinsky will start in goal.

Tottenham will be without Ben Davies and Randal Kolo Muani, but Kota Takai and Dominic Solanke could be on the bench after they trained on Tuesday.

Spurs ended a 17-year wait for silverware in May with Europa League success, but Frank is well aware of the desire to add further trophies.

“Of course I’d like to win. No doubt about that. For me, I think we probably need to take one game at a time,” Frank reflected.

“I’m very aware (of the expectation). I think it’s that balance that as I said, I would like us to get there where we can compete in all four tournaments throughout the year.

“If you want to compete in all four tournaments, you need to be good enough to pick the right team every single time. And I promise you before I pick the team, it looks like an unbelievably good plan.

“I think we’re also aware that no players can play 60 games x 90 minutes. So, it’s that balance we need to hit throughout the season. Not only because we are facing Doncaster.

“We need to hit that perfect number of players that rotates and then a strong team. And it will be a strong team.”