'Disgrace', 'Shut up Gary' – Many Leeds fans & Graham Smyth react to Lineker Twitter message

Dave is a huge Leeds fan and ardent disciple of Bielsa ball. A career in print magazines that included editing PC Zone, launching PokerPlayer and redesigning The Big Issue has finally led Dave to writing about the love of his life, Leeds United. It’s been a tough 2020 but the single scariest moment was the first quarter of the game against Man City. Rodrigo will be the saviour this season.

Published on:

02 Apr 2020, 5:39 am

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."

It’s not criminal. Fact is players are not training together so meetings would take rime 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. https://t.co/vbV216AMBv
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) April 2, 2020

Leeds fans in particular weren't having any of that and neither was Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Graham Smyth.

My union has already taken a vote on whether we should donate from our 'fighting fund' to a charity supporting journalists and their families in times of hardship. It took one email and two clicks for me to have my say. https://t.co/XH5rLdPxcD
— Graham Smyth (@GrahamSmyth) April 2, 2020

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...

Shut up Gary for once in your life.
— Ross O'Connor (@lufcroc) April 2, 2020

Some have already Gary while some sit and do nothing #leeds United
— Reel Buddy (@Daddyzoom) April 2, 2020

Leeds United deferred wages a week ago to keep staff on and to keep no Job losses . The clubs in the PL should have already had a plan in place to make sure staff on low wages were looked after but aslong as Kane & Grealishs millions are kept safe then that's okay then
— Bear (@polar1980bear) April 2, 2020

Leeds players have already took wage cuts, we are in the championship with less money, want to talk about that??
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) April 2, 2020

Leeds United players and staff agreed to a wage deferal seven days ago Gary, and they aren’t expecting the government to pay the non-playing staff.
— James/Jim Mason (@HeyJMason) April 2, 2020

The spy gate evil mastermind and his #LUFC players got this in place last week? Suppose Bielsa doesn’t always follow the rules when it comes to ‘morals of the English game’...
— Liam (@Liam_Given) April 2, 2020

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay: Bielsa seriously considered axing Leeds mainstay in Jan, would have been 'huge shock'

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