‘Embarrasing’ – Ornstein claims Leeds angry at EFL amid £1.5m player clause controversy
Athletic journalist David Ornstein has revealed how Leeds United feel about the ‘star player’ clause that Derby have written into their sponsorship contract with betting firm 32Red.
That has provided them with an extra £1.5m to fund a deal for Wayne Rooney.
Leeds United, Preston North End and Middlesbrough all share the same sponsor and none of them have a similar clause.
However, Ornstein claims Leeds have no problem with the deal, despite another Athletic journalist Daniel Taylor writing, “How would Leeds react, for example, if they were denied promotion at Pride Park on the penultimate weekend of the season because of a goal scored by a striker whose employment by Derby was funded or part-funded by the company that sponsors both clubs?”
That question has been answered now and Leeds have no issue. Preston, on the other hand, are said to be angry.
Ornstein claims Leeds are angry with the EFL, though, and the club is quoted as saying the EFL guidelines over what is and isn’t acceptable conduct are “embarrassing”.
Leeds were hit with a big fine over Spygate last season, while Sheffield Wednesday face a possible points deduction over the sale of Hillsborough.
Leeds travel to Derby in the penultimate match of the season and while we hope promotion will have been confirmed by then, it could turn out to be a pivotal game.
However, the Rooney controversy seems like a storm in a teacup to us.
If Derby managed to negotiate a better deal with 32Red than Leeds did, more power to them. And that’s seemingly the view Leeds are taking, too.
If Leeds miss out on promotion this season there are many things we could point to by way of blame. Rooney playing for Derby would not feature anywhere on the list, regardless of what he does against Leeds at Pride Park in April.
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