BBC respond as Leeds United fans demand apology after what they did
Leeds United fans have demanded an apology from the BBC after their Jimmy Savile documentary “refuelled victim chanting” from supporters.
The dramatisation by the broadcasters is said to have recreated “damaging and inaccurate scenes” which have sparked new chants at Elland Road, which could cause huge upset for victims of any type of abuse.
Clive Miers, chair of the Leeds United Supporters Network, has been extremely vocal about the situation, calling upon the BBC to apologise for their actions.
The BBC stated that the references to chants in the documentary were based on “first-hand accounts” and included to show how rumours of Savile’s crimes had been in widespread circulation many years before the truth eventually began to emerge after this death.
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday (3 November, page 97), Miers replied: “This is simply not true.
“I have been to more than 2,000 games. We have 46 Leeds supporters’ groups under our umbrella and over 9,000 members and nobody can remember hearing this.
“The BBC has used football and Leeds United to provide a shortcut to allude to Savile’s necrophilia by inventing an obscene chant.”
A damaging representation
It is easy to understand that chants about Jimmy Savile could be harmful to those who have experienced sexual abuse, or any type of abuse for that matter. But to paint a single club as the start of it all, creating demonstrations of what Leeds fans are saying to be untrue, is extremely hurtful to the club and community surrounding it.
It leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth, as Leeds fans continue to argue against the BBC for their scenes in the documentary.
It is well-known that Savile was from Leeds, but the ongoing association between him and the club can only damage the representation of the club more.
The intention of the documentary may have been to illustrate how early rumours of Savile’s wrongdoings had been circulating, but chants, that are causing “trauma, torment and suffering” have increased exponentially since the series first screened earlier this year.
The whole situation seems to have done more harm than good at Elland Road, creating a stigma around the club in an otherwise hopeful season.
In other Leeds United news, Illan Meslier has been identified as a “possibility” for Inter Milan when the transfer window opens.