OPINION
Leeds United have confirmed today that they are investigating a video that is circulating on social media. BBC journalist Adam Pope had earlier posted a message saying he was expecting Leeds to comment over the video that has gone viral online, of a Leeds fan allegedly making racist gestures/language towards QPR supporters on Tuesday night. Pope posted the message on his Twitter account ahead of Thursday’s pre-match press conference for the game against West Brom on Friday night. Leeds fans flocked onto Twitter to roundly condemn the allegations, with one saying “there’s always someone/something that’s dragging us down”. Another said that things like this were “destroying our season” in reference to other off-field controversies such as spygate. If the video is verified then it’s yet more evidence of the rise in racism on the terraces after it looked like the problem had been clipped in the UK. It’s a very, very small minority of fans that are succeeding in dragging the game down to more unsavoury times and we imagine that Leeds’ actions will be swift and punitive. The fact that fans think they can get away with stuff like this in the modern day, with phone cameras everywhere, possibly highlights just how stupid they are.
Expecting a comment today from #lufc re the video that has emerged on social media of a Leeds fan allegedly making racist gestures/language towards QPR supporters at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 28, 2019
STATEMENT: LEEDS UNITED
The club are aware of a video circulating on social media from our Sky Bet Championship fixture against QPR on Tuesday evening.
An investigation is now underway to identify those involved. #lufc 1/2 pic.twitter.com/zuD09wzOSh
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 28, 2019
Leeds United:
"Racism will absolutely not be tolerated by Leeds United and anyone found to be racially abusive will be banned from attending all games indefinitely. " #lufc 2/2
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 28, 2019
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans:
https://twitter.com/biteyourlegs/status/1101067342094745601
https://twitter.com/100YearsOfLUFC/status/1101070113581744129
Why should leeds make a comment on it? Surely helping the authorities find and ban the person is all that’s needed. Last 4 months spent more time talking about off field than in it – it’s destroying our season
— Carl Murphy (@CarlM1979) February 28, 2019
Hopefully a straight forward lifetime ban. Embarrassing.
— Patrick (@Paddyyy) February 28, 2019
There's always something / someone dragging us down. What a plonker pic.twitter.com/asEnDyywkA
— Stephen Mc Phillips (@Stephen_MOT) February 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/AdamPaulBarlow/status/1101068523701444609
It was one fan, and the rest of us supporters shout out him and expose him to whatever justice the scumbag rightly deserves. If that’s Jail/fine, that’s for police to decide. Club should ban though without hesitation.
— Robie #Gone On Social Media Holiday# (@TheRealRobNeal) February 28, 2019
No place for people like that in the club. Lifetime ban hopefully.
— Jay (@BalticBulldog) February 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/Poz89/status/1101075695768354817