Last night Wolves tearing Leeds United apart at Elland Road wasn’t the only vicious attack in the LS11 area. After the 3-0 loss, Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani launched one of his own.
It wasn’t a stinging barb aimed at the Leeds United players who have only fashioned one win in their last 13 games. It wasn’t a stinging criticism of the fans who have turned against the performances of late. It was a stinging barb thrown directly at opponents Wolves.
The visitors from the Black Country have been in somewhat imperious form over the course of the season so far and look nailed-on certs for automatic promotion to the Premier League. They have done since the very early part of this Championship campaign.
They have achieved this level of brilliance on the back of some excellent signings, with some observers tipping more than a wink in the direction of super agent Jorge Mendes for this. In the above article the Guardian’s David Conn teases out a line of enquiry to show how Mendes’ influence was present at Wolves. It is this that was the driver of Radrizzani’s triple tweet outburst last night.
Radrizzani throws caution to the Wolves in blast of cold air
We have our own problems but we should play in a fair competition. Not legal and fair let one team owned by a fund whom has shares in the biggest players agency with evident benefits (top European clubs giving players with options to buy ..why the other 23 teams can’t have same
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) March 7, 2018
…treatment ? We should play all 24 with the same rules and opportunities (it s enough to google it) @EFL
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) March 7, 2018
Congratulations to the best team but hope the league can be fair and equal to all 24 teams
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) March 7, 2018
That triptych of tweets (above) was enough to raise more than an objection from Leeds United fans themselves, a mix of frustration and embarrassment being expressed. That sentiment rumbled onward and in to today with the EFL saying that they would be speaking to Wolves and looking into the relationship.
In deference to his actions of last night, Radrizzani took to Twitter today to try to smooth over any cracks with a more conciliatory tweet.
I am disappointed as all our fans for our recent results but I would like to clarify here my opinion about last nights tweets which create a lot of criticism. Our performances and the request of clarification on these matter are totally different issues pic.twitter.com/qnlYa2z1sm
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) March 8, 2018
Whilst Leeds United fans may have felt aggrieved at the timing of his tweeted comments, these coming after a heavy defeat at the hands of Wolves, there is clear evidence that the Black Country side’s involvement rankles him. It’s not only Radrizzani though who is complaining about there not being a level playing field with Mendes’ involvement, numerous Championship clubs are too.
