Gary Neville pokes fun at Leeds United after club speak out on risk of independent regulator
Gary Neville has poked fun at Leeds United on Monday 10 April after the club spoke out on the risk of an independent regulator on the finances of football clubs.
The plan for a regulator, which was confirmed by the UK government in February following a fan-led review, was highlighted by Leeds United as a potential issue in their annual accounts on Companies House on Saturday (9 April).
Within the club’s strategic report, they stated that its introduction would “materially impact both the club’s finances and elements of the way it currently operates”.
However, Neville threw a jab at the club’s issues with the independent regulator by instead referring to the dismal 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Sunday (9 April) and stating that the performances of Javi Gracia’s side should be their primary concern.
Replying to a Twitter post from football finance expert Kieran Maguire, Neville said: “Playing like they are is a bigger risk.”
Trouble
Leeds United’s capitulation against the Eagles came completely out of the blue and has left many supporters extremely anxious about the relegation battle that lies ahead.
After going 1-0 up through Patrick Bamford, all corners of Elland Road would have hoped that Gracia’s side could hold on for a second win within a week.
However, the team that came out after the half-time interval were a shadow of the side from the opening 45 minutes.
Roy Hodgson’s team must take some credit for pulling together some brilliant passages of attacking play, but Leeds simply wilted under the slightest of pressure and crumbled away as the game progressed.
Neville is correct that Leeds must focus on the pressing concern of Premier League survival and not the impact of the independent regulator right now.
If the Whites maintain their top-flight status over the coming weeks, then the club’s hierarchy can complain as much as they want about the financial ramifications of the regulator in the summer.
For now though, Leeds must do their talking on the pitch and not off it.
In other Leeds United news, the decision has been made for the club to splash the cash this summer.