‘Disgrace’, ‘Shut up Gary’ – Many Leeds fans & Graham Smyth react to Lineker Twitter message
Gary Lineker might be close to being called a national treasure but he’s riled some Leeds United fans on Twitter after his latest message.
Lineker was responding to a message from Labour MP (and Tottenham fan) David Lammy who weighed in on the furore over Premier League footballers not agreeing to a wage cut.
Talks were held with the PFA on Wednesday but no decision was reached.
Lammy said, “It’s criminal that Premier League footballers haven’t moved more quickly to take pay cuts and deferrals. And completely wrong that taxpayers are now being asked to subsidise cleaners, caterers and security guards at these clubs instead.”
That came after Tottenham revealed non-footballing staff would be taking a 20% pay cut and would be relying on the government to pay some salaries.
Whatever your politics that seems like a good take from Lammy but Lineker took the side of the players.
He said, “It’s not criminal. Fact is players are not training together so meetings would take time to organise. I’m positive most of them will want to do something to help but don’t know how, or worry about treading a lonely path. Let’s give them a chance to act before we all weigh in.”
Leeds fans in particular weren’t having any of that and neither was Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.
The Leeds players have already agreed a wage deferral with the club that enables all non-footballing staff to be paid.
And many fans pointed out that all players are on WhatsApp and email and that it wouldn’t be hard to come to an agreement if they wanted to.
It seems like a real own goal from the Premier League players (and Gary Lineker) and public opinion is definitely against them.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans…
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: Bielsa seriously considered axing Leeds mainstay in Jan, would have been ‘huge shock’