Leeds defend Carney Twitter response over covid comment
A Leeds tweet about Karen Carney has been widely condemned, amid fears it will provoke a social media pile-on, but Andrea Radrizzani was unrepentant.
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has defended a club tweet that appeared to mock former England international Karen Carney.
Speaking during Amazon Prime's coverage of Leeds' impressive 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday, Carney suggested Leeds benefitted from the coronavirus-induced Championship shutdown in March on their way to claiming the title and a place in the Premier League.
Carney said: "[Leeds] outrun everyone and credit to them. My only concern would be: 'Would they blow up at the end of the season?'
"We saw that in the last couple of seasons and I actually think they got promoted because of Covid in terms of it gave them a bit of respite. I don't know whether they would have gone up if they didn't have that break."
Leeds' official Twitter account was swift to highlight Carney's view in the immediate aftermath of the victory at The Hawthorns, prompting fears it would see her targeted by social media trolls.
One user described the Leeds tweet as "disgusting" but Radrizzani was unrepentant, instead criticising Carney.
Radrizzani: "I take the responsibility of the Club tweet"
The Leeds owner replied: "I take the responsibility of the Club tweet. I consider that comment completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our Club and particularly to the fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on the pitch for the last two championship seasons by all stats."
It is not the first time Leeds' social media output has raised eyebrows - they also singled out Gabriel Agbonlahor for derision earlier in the season after the former Aston Villa striker questioned the methods of United boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Bielsa's side sit 11th in the Premier League table after winning seven of their opening 16 games and have attracted widespread praise for their cavalier approach.