‘Is this for real?’, ‘Pathetic’ – These Leeds fans react as first-teamer responds to FA incident
Leeds United centre-back Liam Cooper made a public apology on Twitter on Thursday after the FA spoke to him about an incident in the Championship game against Fulham.
Cooper swore in front of a ball boy as he was attempting to get the ball back. Leeds lost the game 2-1.
The statement was a quality one from Cooper and he got the tone exactly right.
However, plenty of Leeds fans think he’s got no case to answer to and that the FA should worry about more serious things.
They’ve got a point. However, it’s fair to say that Cooper, especially as the captain of Leeds, shouldn’t be swearing in front of ball boys.
He’s a role model and normally the absolute epitome of professionalism.
This isn’t a big deal though and we’re surprised that Cooper decided to go public. His offer of boots, a shirt and a written apology is more than generous and that should be the last we hear of it. Hopefully.
Meanwhile, Leeds fans have made their opinions known in sometimes strident terms on Twitter.
One fan said he was “staggered” that this had gone this far but Athletic journalist Phil Hay felt moved to say, “Players shouldn’t swear at ball boys, I think that’s fair to say. He’s acknowledged that himself”.
Cooper has obviously decided to handle it this way himself and we think it’s a classy gesture.
Plenty of Leeds fans made reference to Joe Hart losing his temper and swearing when he couldn’t get the ball back when playing for England.
That’s whataboutery though. Leeds players obviously hold themselves to higher standards.
In other Leeds United news, ‘I love watching Leeds’ – Mark Lawrenson predicts FA Cup clash v Arsenal, makes big Bielsa claim