Cardiff bench in utterly disgraceful act v Leeds United during Sol Bamba tribute
Cardiff City have come under fire after their inexcusable actions during the minute’s applause in their game against Leeds United for Sol Bamba.
Bamba – who passed away on 31 August aged just 39 – was a tremendously considered player for both clubs, with a minute of appreciation arranged for the 14th minute and tributes paid before the game.
Fury was sparked among Cardiff’s own supporters as not one of the Bluebirds’ bench appeared to rise for the applause as Leeds’ dugout were a class act, standing to a man in tribute to Bamba.
While it will not have been with any malicious intent, it was an act of disgraceful naivety and ignorance which went very little way in impressing their own supporters – as illustrated on X as “inexcusable” [21 September] after the match, which Leeds won 2-0.
Bamba’s family were in attendance at the contest in South Wales, with the defender having spent five seasons at Cardiff after just over 18 months at Elland Road.
Leeds United show Sol Bamba appreciation
Anyone who ever had the great fortune to have spent a small time in Sol Bamba’s presence has vouched for the admirable qualities of the man.
A player who accumulated almost 500 professional appearances, who battled cancer to continue his career and who had an infectiously positive aura which spread to all those around him, the news hit thousands like a ton of bricks when he passed last month.
Bamba had just begun his fledgling coaching career in Turkiye with Adanaspor, having been assistant at Cardiff as recently as 2023 under Sabri Lamouchi – which makes what was seen (or not seen) in the home dugout on Saturday all the more disappointing.
The Ivorian became a cult hero during his time at Elland Road, with Leeds fans bellowing his name from the terraces on regular occasion.
A man sorely missed received a classy posthumous reception from the travelling fans and also the home faithful at the Cardiff City Stadium, who had just hoped their bench could have reciprocated as Leeds’ duly did.
In other Leeds news, Adrian Durham on Pascal Struijk’s penalty miss on Saturday.
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