The players at Leeds United have released an official statement responding to social media backlash after a video emerged following their 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.
Javi Gracia’s side travelled to the south coast knowing that they had to win and – despite starting brightly once again – capitulated upon conceding, putting them at massive risk of relegation from the Premier League this season.
Sunday’s loss is their fourth in their last five games, an exceptionally poor run of form which could not have come at a worse time.
The Whites faithful – already understandably upset with the squad’s lack of quality on the pitch – became enraged even further when a video emerged on Twitter of the team leaving their hotel to travel to the Vitality Stadium on Sunday morning.
In the video, the players fail to acknowledge a group of travelling fans, including a young boy.
The squad have now released a statement addressing this episode along with the poor performance against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“As the first team squad at Leeds United, we wanted to reach out to the fan base regarding yesterday’s game and subsequent posts on social media,” the statement, found on the club website, begins.
“Firstly, the performance was not good enough. There is no other way to look at it and the only way to respond is on the pitch. Leeds fans travel up and down the country in huge numbers and deserve more than this.
“What is just as concerning to us as a group, is the video online of us leaving the hotel. Words can’t express how sorry we are that the youngster in the video wearing the Leeds kit is not shown more love from the squad.
“On a matchday we do an activation walk, before and after this we stop for photos and autographs to ensure we interact with fans, but that we are also on time when leaving for games. However, there is no excuse for not acknowledging fans and if the parents of the fan wearing the Leeds kit in the video could make themselves known to us, we would be grateful.
“We do not believe that this fight is over and we will keep going until the last ball is kicked this season. Thank you again for your support.”
