'NO EXCUSE'
Leeds stars ‘sorry’ for ignoring fans including little boy as Piers Morgan brands them ‘selfish, arrogant p****s’
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LEEDS UNITED’S squad have been slammed as “selfish, arrogant p****s” by Piers Morgan.
The Sun columnist's comments were echoed by hoards of fans after footage surfaced appearing to show players ignoring fans at their team hotel, including a young boy who was waving at them.
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Javi Gracia’s woeful side are a point above the drop zone after they were battered 4-1 at Bournemouth on Sunday.
But a number of die-hards were still keen to show their support and belief in the squad by greeting them at the team hotel as they headed to the game on Sunday.
A clip has circulated of supporters, which included a young lad wearing a Leeds kit, waiting for autographs behind a barrier as their heroes left through the hotel reception.
But not one player stopped for them or even acknowledged them despite the young fan waving at them as they came past.
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Talk TV host and Sun columnist Morgan reacted to the clip by tweeting: “Selfish arrogant p****s.”
And a host of other football fans joined him in slamming Leeds’ players.
One wrote: “For most of these players 5-15 years ago, these would’ve been them on the other end.
“It would’ve made their world to get a smile & hello from their favorite player. But now, they just walk past—head in the phone.”
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Another said: “Should be ashamed of themselves. Football is nothing without the fans!”
A fellow tweeter wrote: “Rude and the amount of money they get paid, smile say hello shake a few hands, sign a few autographs respect.”
And another commented: “Didn’t even give the young boy the time of day! Talk about disrespectful!”
Leeds United's players have since released a statement expressing how sorry they feel.
It read: "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 also that we are 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."
The Leeds United Trust are also attempting to find the family of the young boy in the clip after speaking to the club.
They appealed on Twitter: “Has anyone managed to find the details of this family. If so please DM.
“We’ve spoke to the club and they have been trying to get hold of him to put things right.”
SunSport have approached Leeds United for comment on the incident.
It comes just weeks after Arsenal’s squad were criticised for appearing to ignore and barely acknowledge a young girl as they signed her shirt before their recent draw at West Ham.
The girl's father has since taken to Twitter to insist she had a great afternoon, writing: “My daughter had a lovely time as mascot for Arsenal. There was only a small window to meet the players and she enjoyed it very much.
“[Martin] Odegaard is her favourite player so to hold his hand onto the pitch was very special.”
Leeds United's on-pitch woes will get worse today with relegation rivals Leicester City and Everton colliding tonight.
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The Monday night clash will see at least one of their rivals pick up points and put them in further trouble.
Fed-up supporters are fearing the worst with games against title-chasing Manchester City, high-flying Newcastle, a trip to West Ham and then sixth-placed Tottenham to come.
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