Matt Le Tissier slammed by fans for posting warped conspiracy theories about Russian war crimes in Bucha
EX-FOOTBALLER Matt Le Tissier has been slammed for sharing warped conspiracy theories about Russian war crimes in Bucha.
The former Southampton striker posted a controversial tweet suggesting the media have "lied" about the atrocities in the city and has since quit his role as ambassador at the club.
He bizarrely chimed into the international conversation as the true extent of the horrors in Bucha continue to emerge.
Harrowing pictures from the city, to the north-west of the capital Kyiv, showed the bodies of civilians scattered in the road and in shallow graves - many with bound hands and signs of torture.
Russian forces left a trail of death and destruction in their wake before their retreat, with the scale of Ukrainians' suffering shocking the world.
President Volodymyr Zelensky fought back tears as he visited the desolate city, describing the acts of Russian troops as "genocide".
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One Russian commander, dubbed the "Butcher of Bucha", is said to have oversaw the rape and murder of hundreds of women and children.
But the Kremlin claims the massacre never happened - and photos were staged for Western media.
Le Tissier seemed to share the same opinion as the likes of Vladimir Putin, by quoting a tasteless tweet as the war in Ukraine rages on.
Alongside a picture of Zelenksy visiting the city, it read: "The media lied about Weapons of Mass Destruction. The media lied about Covid.
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"The media lied about the Hunter Biden laptop. But honestly they are telling the truth about Bucha!"
Le Tissier has now stepped down from his role as an ambassador of Southampton FC due to the online controversy.
The 53-year-old, who won eight caps for England, simply captioned it with the word "This", along with a finger-pointing emoji.
But Le Tissier's ridiculous conspiracy theory was condemned by his 570,000 followers, with fans saying they could no longer support him.
The football pundit - known for spouting his wacky opinions online - was branded "disgusting" and even "dangerous" by furious supporters.
One weighed in: "Unfollowed Matt Le Tissier a couple of years back after he started tweeting Covid conspiracy theories.
"Now suggesting that the war crimes in Ukraine are fake. Sometimes idiots can be dangerous."
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Another added: "Someone take his phone off him before he embarrasses himself and his employers any further."
A third said: "Matt Le Tissier was a hero of my youth. Very sad to see what he has become."
While a fourth chimed in: "Disgusting - and this isn't the first time he's shown himself for what he truly is."
Le Tissier later announced he had bowed out from his role at his beloved team to "separate the work I believe in from my relationship with the club".
He added: "My views are my own and always have been, and it’s important to take this step today to avoid any confusion. This does not affect my relationship with and love for my club."
Comedian David Baddiel also knocked the former Southampton player down a peg or two, saying: "'I'm starting to wonder if Terry Venables was right."
FUELLING RUSSIAN RHETORIC
The funnyman was seemingly referencing the England manager's decision to drop Le Tissier during Euro 96.
In response to Baddiel, Gary Lineker wrote: "He so often was. Wtf?"
Le Tissier has since deleted the outrageous tweet, saying "as people, as usual, missing the point, the point was about the media manipulation but you knew that really."
He continued: "Let me make something very clear I do not advocate war in any way shape or form.
"I do not advocate anyone taking lives of others and anyone who commits such acts should be dealt with accordingly, any atrocities leave devastating effects on the families of the victims and us all."
Le Tissier's tweets have continued to fuel Russian conspiracies that scenes of devastation have been "staged".
A state TV report claimed carnage broadcast from Bucha amounted to "provocation" which was "done by professionals, probably British".
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Putin's propaganda machine has repeatedly attempted to cover up Russia's involvement in alleged atrocities - including using cluster bombs to blast Ukrianians.
Moscow has even issued warped claims accusing Ukraine of being under a Nazi regime as it continues to deny any responsibility for civilian attacks.
