Simon Jordan offers alternative view to Leeds fan jeers during Ramadan pause vs Man City
Simon Jordan has offered an alternative view to those criticising Leeds United fans for booing players observing Ramadan during the 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
In the 13th minute of Leeds‘ Premier League clash with City on Saturday, the game paused as both sets of players went to the side of the pitch to take on fluids and energy supplements.
At the same time, boos rang around Elland Road during the one-minute break, as City’s Muslim players Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, and Omar Marmoush broke their fast.
City boss Pep Guardiola condemned the boos, and Leeds themselves said the reaction in the stadium was “disappointing”.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea player Emmanuel Petit said he “hated” what transpired at Elland Road, but ex-Crystal Palace chairman Jordan gave a multi-faceted take.
‘I don’t like it, I hate it’
When the pause began, a message was displayed on the big screen at Leeds that said: “As tonight’s match takes place during the holy period of Ramadan, play has been paused briefly to allow players to break their fast”.
After the match and the boos, Guardiola said in this day and age, you need to “respect religion and respect diversity”, something ex-France international Petit agreed with.
He said on talkSPORT: “I don’t like it. In fact, I hate it. First of all it’s the protocol but more important than that is the political environment we are living in this world. I totally agree with what Pep said.
“We need more love in this world. There is war everywhere, there is racism coming from everywhere now and I’m quite scared about what will happen in the future. This is not the kind of message that is helpful.”
Jordan somewhat concurred with Petit’s view but also said the “usual suspects” were too quick to decry racism and discrimination.
He questioned whether Leeds fans would have done the same if any of their players were Muslim, but also posted that the break could have been something the opposition might be benefiting from.
When asked if he could understand Leeds fans venting about this and the delay, Jordan replied: “Well, not particularly. The default setting will be that it is centred on discrimination and racism rather than intolerance of the game being stopped by what’s considered to be the opposition.
“If there were Muslim players in the Leeds side and they had been part of a fasting break, would they have booed them?
“There’s a conclusion drawn by the usual suspects that this is racism and can only be that. Rather than an intolerance to something, the opposition might be benefiting from rather than the home side.”
Leeds look to banish Man City memories against Sunderland
In addition to the bad PR Leeds got off the back of this episode, Daniel Farke‘s team will have felt aggrieved after their narrow loss on Saturday.
Leeds created gilt-edged chances for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson, among others, but they couldn’t break the deadlock, and Semenyo punished them in first-half stoppage time.
Farke was also sent off for his vociferous protests against referee Peter Bankes, with the German running onto the pitch and remonstrating with the official at full-time.
However, Leeds can banish those demons on Tuesday night when they host fellow promoted side Sunderland at Elland Road.
The Whites suffered just their third defeat in 15 league games, but they are just six points above the relegation zone.
A victory over the Black Cats, who have one of the worst away records in the division, will go a long way to ensuring Leeds’ safety in the English top-flight for another season.
Leeds will be favourites going into this encounter, but the Mackems should not be underestimated.
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