Blogs

Morris: Leeds are hurting

|
Image for Morris: Leeds are hurting

Derby owner Mel Morris has said “Leeds are hurting”, according to talkSPORT host Jim White. 

This came in response to strong allegations from Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani at an FT Business summit on Tuesday, where he accused Derby of cheating.

Radrizzani said that Derby selling their stadium to a sister company to avoid FFP implications is “more cheating than sending a scout to see [Derby] training.”

That follows bad blood between the two sides after the spygate scandal earlier in the season.

Talking on the Jim White show (talkSPORT, Wednesday, 10am), White said that Radrizzani had “called for sanctions on Derby after financial manipulation over their stadium.

“Just before I came on air I spoke to Mel Morris on the phone and I’m quoting him here, he said, ‘Listen, it’s as simple as this, Leeds are hurting, cut Andrea Radrizzani some slack here.'”

OPINION

This isn’t the first time that Radrizzani has been vocal about financial issues at rival clubs in the Championship. He had a lot to say about Wolves last season and now Derby have come under fire from the Leeds owner. Has Radrizzani got a point? Absolutely. There are financial loopholes all over the place in football and FFP is constantly avoided by clubs with questionable moves. However, this is going to come across as sour grapes after Derby knocked Leeds out of the play-off semi-finals with a 4-2 win at Elland Road. Radrizzani’s language was charged but he’s obviously still smarting at being fined £200,000 for spygate – although the fine was paid by manager Marcelo Bielsa who took full responsibility for his actions. Financial loopholes are a scourge in the wider world, not just football, but FFP has to have stronger repercussions and the authorities have to be seen to be acting fairly and consistently. 

Share this article