Earlier this evening, the East London and West Essex Guardian ran a story that Leyton Orient had been instructed by the EFL to approach fan group Leyton Orient Fan Trust (LOFT) to ask them to front the medical costs to cover the O’s remaining games of this season. The response from all quarters was understandable.
Leyton Orient are a club who sit on the precipice of relegation, staring the very real threat of dropping out of the Football League for the very first time in their 140 year history in the face. These are fans who have seen the club not pay their players, have seen the club doctor walk away from his position after it was advertised behind his back, and know that a loss tomorrow could effectively see them relegated.
LOFT posted the following tweet to their Twitter feed, indicating that the club was asked to contact LOFT with a view to covering medical costs after club doctor Craig Rosenbloom walked out on the club.
We can confirm the club was INSTRUCTED to ask LOFT to cover medical costs. We refused as the fund is expressly not to pay Becchetti's bills. https://t.co/eFFDIUgc8H
— Leyton Orient Fans' Trust – LOFT (@LOFansTrust) April 13, 2017
As indignation rose, The Sun’s Fred Nathan, following on from a tweet by the Press Association’s PA Dugout Twitter account, tweeted the following, a collection of quotes from the EFL that pour a sense of scorn on LOFT’s account of matters.
This is what the @EFL have to say about @LOFansTrust being 'asked to foot medical bills' #lofc pic.twitter.com/vXvJQZxDX1
— Fred Nathan (@FreddieNathan) April 13, 2017
LOFT were quick to counter both the PA Dugout and Fred Nathan’s claims with the following tweets.
All O's fans will be glad to hear that. Earlier today however, it didn't and your response was to instruct the club to seek funds from us. https://t.co/GnZAfCyuUP
— Leyton Orient Fans' Trust – LOFT (@LOFansTrust) April 13, 2017
Someone @EFL whose name, phone no. & email address we have, phoned the club today and instructed we be sought out to cover the costs. (1/2) https://t.co/TCmUumFyZ2
— Leyton Orient Fans' Trust – LOFT (@LOFansTrust) April 13, 2017
(2/2) We will be contacting @EFL CEO Shaun Harvey to seek an urgent meeting to discuss today's events. https://t.co/TCmUumFyZ2
— Leyton Orient Fans' Trust – LOFT (@LOFansTrust) April 13, 2017
Without a shadow of doubt – this is a story that will definitely resurface at some point tomorrow when counter-accusation is returned again.
