‘Urgh’, ‘A real shame’ – These Leeds fans react to official club Twitter update

Tue 11 August 2020 6:36, UK

Leeds United fans were desperate for news on Monday but for many it became a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’.

The news, when it came, was that the new front-of-shirt sponsor for Leeds is SBOTOP, an Asian sports betting company owned by Celton Manx.

The company has another sports betting arm with prior history in the Premier League – SBOBET, who were shirt sponsors of West Ham until the 2012/13 season.

There were plenty of Leeds fans who were happy that 32Red’s deal was ending and were hoping to see a marquee company on the shirt.

Those same fans aren’t happy that SBOTOP is the new sponsor.

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Some people have a genuine moral reason to be upset at Leeds hooking up with another gambling partner.

Sports betting can lead to problem gambling and can ruin some people’s lives.

And one Leeds fan pointed out that gambling issues had been a problem for Jordan Stevens.

Not just how it hits fans. Gambling has hit our own young players. How hypocritical is it to promote something already harming our team and our club? #lufc https://t.co/PrSrFsi834
— Lowfields Road 🏆 (@road_lowfields) August 10, 2020

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On the other hand, this is the modern business world and football takes huge amounts of money from the sports betting industry. As Leeds fans know all too well from their time in the SkyBet Championship.

SkyBet might come with the legitimacy of Sky Sports but ultimately they’re still a sports betting company, the same as SBOTOP.

We’re not saying these fans’ views aren’t valid – far from it. But it’s not a major surprise that Leeds have taken the money.

Here are the reactions from disgruntled fans…

https://twitter.com/laurencelufc/status/1292821154407776257

https://twitter.com/CptAdvntre_Offc/status/1292821077601783809

I’m a bit disappointed we’ve become just another Premier League club with a betting sponsor ☹️
Nevertheless, announce Adidas kit and Ben White immediately
— Oliver White (@OliWhiteMOT93) August 10, 2020

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ugh not another betting company
— ARM (@armzl381) August 10, 2020

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We could have done a lot better than some betting company. A real shame.
— Sam Cussins (@samcussins) August 10, 2020

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https://twitter.com/Lufcmuslimah/status/1292831084808462342

Yes money talks I get that.. but when it comes to betting or alcohol companies on the front of football shirts I'm against it as in both gambling and alcohol wrecks lives. However if the shirt looks nice will I buy it?….probably
— Tariq Jabbar *Bielsa Cultist* 🇵🇸 (@TariqJabbar80) August 10, 2020

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Can’t say I’m overjoyed at this. Was hoping to avoid a betting company. Logo a bit rubbish as well.
— A-Jay ☯️🧘🏻‍♂️⚽️ (@AntonySophia13) August 10, 2020

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Another bloody betting company nobody has heard of or ever used, with a ridiculous brand name. Expected much more from Andrea.
— Alan McDaid (@alanjmcdaid) August 10, 2020

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Shame that football continues to sell its soul to the betting industry! Well, and Sky of course! Still, we will take the dollar and ignore the morality like everyone else if it buys a half decent football team.
— Chris Hearn 💙 (@chris4465) August 10, 2020

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@andrearadri disappointed this is another betting company. Thought your leadership was a bit more visionary than this. Hope you can get out of this deal when the @premierleague ban betting sponsors.
— YorksMass (@gabrieljrhop) August 10, 2020

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In other Leeds United news, ‘One of their own’ – Exclusive: Pundit shocked as PL ace refuses new deal amid Leeds interest