‘Doesn’t fit with your anti-Leeds agenda’ – Jim White takes on Leeds fan live on talkSPORT
Jim White has dismissed the idea that his show has an “anti-Leeds agenda” and said “We salute Leeds” after the players agreed to wage deferrals so all non-footballing staff could be paid.
Leeds and Birmingham were the first clubs to agree pay cuts with players with the current suspension of football causing financial issues right through the leagues.
By contrast, Tottenham have come under heavy criticism for announcing a 20% pay cut to non-footballing staff and admitting they will rely on the government to help pay wages.
That’s been a big topic in the sports media, but one angry fan texted Jim White to ask why his show wasn’t lauding the actions of Leeds while highlighting the negative aspects of the story.
The Leeds fan, called Ben, said, “Leeds United payers took a voluntary wage so non-playing staff could be paid, but no mention of that [Leeds players taking pay cuts] of course because it doesn’t fit with your anti-Leeds agenda.”
White went out of his way right at the start of the show (talkSPORT, Wednesday, 10am) to deal with his point head-on.
“To be fair we mentioned that right at the time and we have continued to mention Leeds in a very, very good light for doing that thing,” White said.
“So Ben I don’t know where you’re coming from. Please come on and communicate with us Ben but please be accurate with your facts.
“We salute Leeds United. I love Leeds United as a football club, I always have done, mainly because of the Scottish connection, Eddie Gray, Peter Lorimer… love that team Billy Bremner…”
White’s guest Trevor Sinclair agreed saying, “It’s fantastic what the Leeds player have done. It’s a reflection of their community spirit, they haven’t changed their stadium, it’s still run as a family club.”
White finished by saying, “Andrea Radrizzani is constantly on twitter and he was one of the first clubs to take it so, so seriously. I’m hoping to get him on the show soon.”
Leeds fans have always talked about an agenda against them from the EFL and the media – and it’s easy to see why.
The Spygate scandal was handled pretty poorly by many outlets and made huge numbers of column inches.
Leeds getting awarded the FIFA Fair Play award? Not so much.
We’ve been listening to a lot of talkSPORT over the past week and we’ve only heard Leeds praised for taking a wage cut a few times.
The main problem is that negative stories attract more clicks and the disgraceful actions of Premier League clubs like Tottenham are making the juicy headlines for people at the moment.
To be fair to White, he went out of his way to praise Leeds today and spent the first few minutes of the show doing it.
And, to be fair, the Leeds players deserve it. We’re proud our club has taken the lead here, especially after owner Radrizzani said that club faced a potential “disaster” after losing out on gate receipts of around £2.5m.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Absolute disgrace; Just another Ken Bates’ – Some Leeds fans fume at Henry Winter update