OPINION
Leeds fans love Pontus Jansson even more after his outburst in front of the Sky cameras following the Brentford game.
Talking after the game, that finished 1-1, Jansson was asked about the result and he said bluntly, “It feels s**t”.
Asked to watch his language he said, “I don’t care. This was a robbery from the referee so it feels bad. Do you think I should be happy? No chance.”
He was saying what every Leeds fan was thinking.
The only trouble is that he’s a professional footballer talking live on TV. And those sort of comments have repercussions – and Jansson doesn’t seem to understand this.
Talking in a press conference for Sweden on Monday, Jansson stirred the pot even further.
As quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said, “I was forced to apologise. It’s clear that you must lead by example but I didn’t think that what I said was a big thing if I’m being honest.
“There are many emotions (in football) and I’m a player who plays with a lot. Things happen sometimes.”
Basically, he’s saying he didn’t want to apologise and that s**t happens.
Leeds fans will love this too – we get it. Feelings are high after perceived bias against the club. A year without a penalty doesn’t help.
But Jansson does have to lead by example and these comments show base stupidity. He may be able to afford a fine but you don’t want to get into a fight with the authorities. You won’t win.
And Leeds don’t need anything distracting them from the task at hand – getting the club back in the Premier League.
Swearing on live daytime TV and then saying it’s no big deal shows an astonishing lack of awareness and it’s something that Jansson must change.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa doesn’t like indiscipline among his players and must read Jansson the riot act when he gets back from international duty. He will want Jansson to do his talking on the pitch, not to be making headlines off it.
The Swedish international is in the form of his life at the moment and that’s what Leeds need from him. Not posturing in front of the cameras.