‘Absolute disgrace; Just another Ken Bates’ – Some Leeds fans fume at Henry Winter update
Senior Times journalist Henry Winter put out a couple of tweets on Tuesday slamming the actions of some Premier League clubs, who are furloughing non-footballing staff in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.
It flies in the face of what Leeds have already done, with players agreeing to a wage deferral so all non-footballing staff can be paid – and it’s left many Leeds fans understandably angry.
Both Tottenham and Newcastle have furloughed staff with Spurs announcing a 20% pay cut for its staff.
In the accompanying report, Winter said it was unacceptable that elite clubs should go cap in hand to the government while taking huge salaries and paying players.
Stan Collymore agreed saying that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy was taking a £3m salary and a £4m bonus for getting the new stadium done. He ended by saying, “Don’t forget though fans and Matchday staff ‘Your club loves you very much'”.
Leeds have taken the lead here, along with Championship rivals Birmingham.
MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson said it was an “outstanding gesture” from the Leeds players and that he would have done the same.
However, one fan said that the club wasn’t getting the credit it deserved for this and that the media was only interested in negative Leeds stories.
Others pointed out that it was an “absolute disgrace” that Premier League sides should be acting like this at this time and with all the money they get from TV rights.
One said that Levy was “Just another Ken Bates”.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans…
It’s not just Leeds United fans either. One Tottenham fan said it was “impossible to defend Levy and his actions. I refuse to give him any more of my money when football resumes”.
Strong words.
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