Leeds United condemn social media abuse of Amazon Prime pundit Karen Carney after West Brom game

The England international’s comments, made during Amazon Prime Sport’s coverage of Leeds’s 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday, were retweeted by the club, prompting an angry response from some fans.

Amid concern at the vehement levels of criticism Carney has received since, the club elected to put out another statement to reiterate their abhorence of any abuse of the respected pundit.

A Leeds statement on Wednesday afternoon read: “Leeds United completely condemns any abuse received by Karen Carney on social media following last night’s Premier League game with West Bromwich Albion.

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

Speaking during Leeds’s victory at The Hawthorns, former England Women’s international Carney, who won 144 caps, said “They (Leeds) outrun everyone and credit to them. My only concern would be, would they blow up at the end of the season?

“We saw that in the last couple of seasons and I actually think they got promoted because of Covid, in terms of it gave them a bit of respite.

“I don’t know whether they would have gone up if they didn’t have that break.”

Leeds responded on Twitter by poking fun at Carney’s comments, provoking a backlash from other football fans who felt that it would encourage online abuse to be directed at her.

Owner Andrea Radrizzani, replying to a tweet which said the club should be “ashamed” of their actions, wrote: “I take the responsibility of the club tweet.

“I consider that comment (from Carney) completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our club and particularly to the fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on the pitch for the last two Championship seasons by all stats.”

Radrizzani was supported by Brighton defender Ben White, who was on loan at Leeds last season when Bielsa’s side claimed 93 points from 46 games.

White posted three face with tears emojis and Leeds player Mateusz Klich also used emojis to show disagreement at Carney’s comments.

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