Simon Jordan slams ‘childish’ Leeds star after what Jim White said on talkSPORT
Leeds United marked their Championship title triumph with an open-top bus parade in the city on Monday.
Daniel Farke’s men were joyful as they celebrated reaching the Premier League at the second time of asking.
But the players’ behaviour on the parade did not come without its talking points, as Junior Firpo was filmed by Jayden Bogle asking Paraag Marathe to give him a new contract.
Leeds have ended the Championship season on a successful run of six consecutive wins, but will find life in the Premier League more difficult next term.
Simon Jordan slams Ethan Ampadu over chant on Leeds bus parade
Ethan Ampadu sang an explicit chant about teammate Willy Gnonto to the crowd as the West Yorkshire side paraded through the city.
| Willy Gnonto stats | 2024/25 Championship |
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 6 |
Speaking on talkSPORT (7 May), Jim White said: “That was a chant about Gnonto’s manhood if you like. Leeds were contacted by the anti-discrimination group Kick It Out, who have said in a statement, ‘while we believe the majority of fans singing this chant are not doing so with racist intent, we would stress that racial stereotypes are harmful and offensive, irrespective of the intention to show such support for a player. What do you think of this, Simon?”
Simon Jordan replied: “If this player were offended by this, I would suspect he might have said something to his colleagues. I am disinclined to be offended by it. I think it’s childish behaviour, it should be beneath them.”
Gnonto will have to step up to the challenge of the Premier League
Italy international Gnonto showed his quality in the Championship last season, scoring eight goals and creating three assists as Farke’s men reached the playoff final.
The 21-year-old was even better this term, notching a return of nine goals and six assists in 43 second-tier outings, helping the Elland Road club win the Championship title.
He was on particularly strong form at the end of the campaign, scoring in heavy wins over Stoke and Bristol City before scoring a goal as well as creating an assist in Saturday’s title-clinching victory at Plymouth.
But to meet the demands of Premier League football next season, Gnonto will have to hit a new level.
The former Zurich man struggled to adjust to the English top-flight in the 2022/23 campaign, managing a return of just two goals in 24 league appearances.
He will have to be more prolific next term, as Farke’s men strive to achieve Premier League survival.