Leeds condemns abuse after club mocks pundit Carney

Leeds has condemned online abuse aimed at Karen Carney after Premier League club mocked a comment me by former England player while working on a match brocast.

But Leeds did t delete tweet that took exception to Carney suggesting club benefited from a three-month pause in play last season due to pandemic as it secured promotion back to top division after a 16-year exile.

Leeds posted a clip filmed by a supporter off Amazon Prime’s cover of Leeds’ 5-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night. It led to sexist abuse being targeted at Carney.

Leeds said it “completely condemns any abuse received” by Carney but did t delete original tweet.

“Everyone at our club respects Karen greatly for all she has achieved in game, as well as her work in media and charity work she undertakes,” Leeds said in a statement.

American star Megan Rapie wrote “don’t come for @karenjcarney she’s a National treasure” as she posted “shame” above tweet from Leeds.

Carney played 144 times for England, including at four World Cups.

“y (Leeds) outrun everyone and credit to m," Carney said on Amazon. "My only concern would be, would y blow up at end of season?

“We saw that in last couple of seasons and I actually think y got promoted because of COVID, in terms of it gave m a bit of respite. I don’t kw wher y would have gone up if y didn’t have that break.”

Leeds, which has often responded to criticism from pundits by mocking m on social media, only included phrase “promoted because of COVID” in club's tweet.

“Wher you agree with comment or t, singling out & ridiculing an individual on an official club account is t what we’re here for,” Women in Football group tweeted. “Karen Carney is a well-informed pundit. This tweet is inciteful & inappropriate. t a good look w, or at any time.”

Leeds owner Andrea Rrizzani defended club’s actions.

Rrizzani, replying to a tweet which said Leeds should be “ashamed” of ir actions, wrote: “I take responsibility of club tweet. I consider that comment (from Carney) completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our club and particularly to fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on pitch for last two Championship seasons by all stats.”

Rrizzani was supported by Brighton defender Ben White, who was an ever-present on loan at Leeds last season when Marcelo Bielsa’s side claimed 93 points from 46 games to finish 10 points clear of second-placed West Brom.

White posted three crying emojis and current Leeds player Mateusz Klich also used emojis to show disgust at Carney’s comments.

Leeds’ thrashing of West Brom lifted m to 11th in Premier League with 23 points from 16 games.

Im credits: AP