Roberto De Zerbi did not hold back after Leeds United’s dramatic 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in North London, blasting a section of the travelling supporters over what he described as an “unacceptable” chant during the second half.
The heated clash at the Tottenham Stadium looked to be slipping away from Leeds after Mathys Tel fired Spurs ahead in the 50th minute following a quick attacking move that caught the Leeds defence exposed. Tottenham controlled large spells after the opener and appeared on course for an important home victory.
However, the game changed in the 71st minute when Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu was brought down inside the box after a reckless challenge during a crowded attacking sequence. After a brief VAR check, the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin stepped up confidently and buried the penalty in the 74th minute, silencing the home crowd and earning Leeds a valuable point away from home.
But despite the comeback, the post-match conversation quickly shifted away from football after De Zerbi was asked about chants heard from a section of Leeds fans during the second half. The Italian manager looked visibly frustrated during his press conference.
“What I heard is not football culture,” De Zerbi reportedly said. “Passion is good, support is important, but some chants crossed the line. It is unacceptable and I don’t want to hear those things connected with my club.”
The exact chant was not officially confirmed, but videos circulating on social media sparked intense debate among both Leeds and Tottenham supporters shortly after full time. Some Leeds fans defended the atmosphere as part of rivalry culture, while others agreed with De Zerbi’s criticism and called for supporters to focus on backing the team positively.
On the pitch, the result keeps Leeds fighting strongly in the top half while Tottenham will feel frustrated after failing to protect their lead at home. Calvert-Lewin’s composure from the spot rescued a point, but De Zerbi made it clear afterward that the bigger issue for him was what happened in the stands rather than the scoreline itself.