YP Comment: Leeds United owner's son must be punished for insult to disabled

The greatest games in the movement’s history, and which Yorkshire’s very own Hannah Cockroft announced herself to the world, they continue to have a positive impact on society, whether it be Prince Harry’s inspirational Invictus Games for injured war heroes or the backlash when George Osborne tried to cut welfare payments for the handicapped and incapacitated in the Budget.

Whale, moron and worse: What Leeds United director Edoardo Cellino called fans on Facebook and Instagram

Yet the good work of so many continues to be undone on occasion by a moronic minority, whether it be able-bodied motorists who selfishly park in bays reserved for the disabled or Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino’s son Edoardo, a director of the club, responding to provocation by a critical supporter by labelling the fan in question as a “spastic” during a social media row which has prompted the Football Association to press its own disciplinary charges.

That the Cellino family hail from Sardinia offers no excuse – or justification – for using disparaging terms that belong to a bygone age. They have been involved with Leeds United long enough to appreciate any cultural differences between Yorkshire and Italy. They have also been at the helm of Elland Road long enough to realise that the owners of such clubs have a moral duty to set a good example in their local community.

If the Cellino family cannot abide by this, the onus will have to be on the footballing authorities to issue a sanction which demonstrates to owners, directors, players and fans alike that there will never be any circumstance that justifies the use of such insulting and insensitive language.