MEGAN RAPINOE has hit out at Leeds United’s official Twitter account for its response to Karen Carney’s comments after the club’s victory at West Brom.
The two-time World Cup winner is among the influential women’s football figures who criticised the post for mocking the Amazon Prime pundit’s reflections.
Megan Rapinoe (left) has come to Karen Carney’s defence following the pundit’s comments concerning LeedsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
In a tweet shared with her 915,000 followers, the USA star, 35, describes Carney as “a national treasure”.
The rest of the caption posted by the OL Reign winger reads: “Shame. Shame. Shame. Thicken up that skin y’all. Don’t come for Karen Carney.”
Leeds ran out a 5-0 victory against Sam Allardyce’s side, picking up their seventh Prem win this term.
The club moved up to eleventh in the table after Romaine Sawyers’ shocking own goal set them on their way, with Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Raphinha all also target in the rout.
After the match, Carney, who enjoyed seven trophy-laden seasons at Arsenal and Chelsea, was debating if Marcelo Bielsa’s side could maintain their frenetic style of play for the rest of the term.
And the former Lionesses star suggested the coronavirus pandemic pausing last season may have been a factor in the Elland Road club’s promotion to the top flight.
Following the match Carney, 33, said: “They outrun everyone and credit to them.
“My only concern would be, will they blow up at the end of the season like the last couple of seasons?
“I actually think they got promoted because of Covid in terms of it giving them a bit of respite.
Karen Carney has queried whether Leeds will be able to maintain their current style of play throughout the seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I don’t know if they’d have got up if they didn’t have that break.”
Carney’s analysis was followed by a response from Leeds’ Twitter account that prompted more than 6,000 comments including sexist remarks from some quarters.
Some commentators in the game have criticised the club’s account accusing it of encouraging ‘a pile-on’ targeting the ex-Blues winger.
And Chelsea’s Beth England and the Women in Football lobby group slammed the post for being “inappropriate” and setting Carney up for “online abuse”.
Leeds officials have condemned the vitriol aimed at Carney and have invited the pundit to report on the club’s FA Cup third-round match against Crawley.
In its statement the club said: “Leeds United completely condemns any abuse received by Karen Carney on social media following last night’s Premier League game with West Bromwich Albion.
“Everyone at our club respects Karen greatly for all she has achieved in the game, as well as her work in the media and the charity work she undertakes.”
Amazon pundit Karen Carney claims Leeds were only promoted because of Covid
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
