Leeds have said they “completely condemn” the online abuse of football pundit Karen Carney after she claimed the club were only promoted to the Premier League “because of Covid”.
The former England international’s comments, made during Amazon Prime Sport’s coverage of Leeds’ 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday, were retweeted by Leeds, prompting an angry response from some fans.
A Leeds statement read: “Leeds United completely condemns any abuse received by Karen Carney on social media following last night’s Premier League game with West Bromwich Albion.
“Everyone at our club respects Karen greatly for all she has achieved in the game, as well as her work in the media and the charity work she undertakes.”
Leeds have often responded to criticism from pundits by mocking them on social media and owner Andrea Radrizzani defended the club’s tweet criticising Carney’s comments.
Carney, who won 144 England caps, said that Marcelo Bielsa’s side benefited from the coronavirus break in March to win the Sky Bet Championship title.
But while Radrizzani claimed her comments were disrespectful on Wednesday morning, the club have grown concerned at the level of abuse Carney has received.
Whether you agree with the comment or not, singling out & ridiculing an individual on an official club account is not what we’re here for. Karen Carney is a well-informed pundit. This tweet is inciteful & inappropriate. Not a good look now, or at any time.#WomeninFootball https://t.co/0kosRyCZ9x
— Women in Football (@WomeninFootball) December 30, 2020
Women in Football said Leeds’ tweet was “inciteful” and former Leeds defender Rio Ferdinand responded to a tweet criticising the Yorkshire club, which had said it was a “disgrace” and that it was “trying to embarrass a hard working pundit who will now be subject to vile abuse from LUFC fans”.
Agree... delete tweet!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 29, 2020
© 2020 PA Media
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