Fly-tipping footballer in Twitter row with fan

Striker Ross McCormack, who lives in Bardsey, was identified by Leeds City Council enforcement officers after they were called to the littered lay-by on the A58 Wetherby Road after Christmas.

The 26-year-old left packaging, cardboard delivery boxes and plastic bags next to bins at some point between Christmas last year and January 3, which was found blowing into nearby hedges and fields.

McCormack was handed a £200 fine, ordered to pay £883.25 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

After the hearing, the Whites striker got involved in an angry exchange with a Huddersfield Town fan.

McCormack is thought to have taken offence when the fan took a photo of him while at court, before the fan took to the Twitter social networking site to voice his displeasure at the striker.

The fan, known on Twitter as @MattyBermingham, tweeted expletives at the player before McCormack said: “Why didn’t u say that to my face 30 mins ago.”

He then went on to say: “Just remember I now know your face.”

The Town fan replied: “Hahahahaha I really hope young kids who look up to you don’t turn out the same #PoorRoleModel.”

Reacting to the verdict, the council’s executive member for the environment, Coun Mark Dobson, said: “While the items in this case may have been left by litter bins with the misdirected idea that they’d be picked up as litter, this is a simple case of flytipping. Litter bins are for litter, not household waste.

“We’re determined to stamp out this kind of lazy behaviour and we will take action against those who fail to help us keep Leeds clean and green.”

Scotland international McCormack, who has recently been linked with moves to Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers, pledged his commitment to United earlier this month.