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LEEDS UNITED have fired back at Karen Carney after the Amazon Prime pundit claimed they only won promotion to the Premier League because of coronavirus.
Leeds put down a marker by smashing West Brom 5-0 on Tuesday to make it three wins from their last four games.

Leeds have fired back at Karen Carney after she said they won promotion because of coronavirusCredit: Amazon

I take the responsibility of the Club tweet. I consider that comment completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our Club and particularly to the fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on the pitch for the last two championship seasons by all stats
— Andrea Radrizzani (@andrearadri) December 29, 2020

Strikes from Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Raphinha followed an unbelievable own-goal from Romaine Sawyers.
But Carney, 33, questioned whether Marcelo Bielsa’s all-action Leeds will be able to keep up their manic style of play for the rest of the season.
The former England international, who won 144 caps for the Lionesses, also claimed Leeds only won promotion from the Championship last term after getting a rest when coronavirus halted the football season.
Carney, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, 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.
“I don’t know if they’d have got up if they didn’t have that break.”
However, Leeds fired back at Carney with a post on Twitter – with the post drawing some criticism for inviting a ‘pile-on’ of sexist abuse aimed at the ex-footballer.
It said: “‘Promoted because of Covid’. Won the league by 10 points. Hi @primevideosport.”

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani claimed he backed the tweet, stating himself on the forum: “I take the responsibility of the Club tweet. I consider that comment completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our Club and particularly to the fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on the pitch for the last two championship seasons by all stats.”
As Leeds themselves pointed out, they finished last season on 93 points – ten ahead of nearest rivals West Brom.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side also won their last five games before lockdown came in without conceding once.
However, the season before – the last full season played – Leeds had dominated in the opening months of the season before running out of steam and failing to advance in the play-offs.
Carney did have kind words for Leeds’ brilliant performance against the Baggies on the night.
She added: “Two newly promoted teams and the difference between them in terms of class, quality and also fitness and intensity.
“Leeds were outstanding, we’ve criticised them in the last couple of weeks about clean sheets and how much they’ve conceded.
“That’s two back-to-back clean sheets now. I know we said about Meslier earlier, he’s unorthodox in what he does, but again two clean sheets.
“Fabulous performance and attacking-wise as clinical as ever.”

Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Leeds’ landslide defeat of West Brom More

LEEDS owner Andrea Radrizzani said sorry to Karen Carney after a club tweet sparked vile abuse towards her.
The ex-England star claimed the Covid shutdown in March helped the club get promoted.

Karen Carney was targeted by trolls after Leeds’ official Twitter account highlighted comments she made about their promotion back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty

Karen Carney has yet to respond to the swathe of abuse she’s receivedCredit: Amazon

Carney made her comments after Leeds’ 5-0 win at West Brom and the Elland Road social media team mocked the Amazon pundit on their Twitter account in reply.
Leeds’ trolling fuelled thousands of abusive remarks at Carney — and although Radrizzani branded her  “disrespectful”, the red-faced Italian made a U-turn last night.
TalkSPORT’s Jim White spoke to Radrizzani and released a series of tweets on his behalf. 
He said: “I’m very sorry Karen was abused on social media. I wanted to defend my club and our players from a comment, which I felt was harsh from Karen on air.

“Our tweet wasn’t offensive — simply stating that we won the league by 10 points.”
Leeds had earlier condemned the abuse that Carney had received.
A club spokesperson 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.”

NINTCHDBPICT000614844534Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Carney’s comments came to the attention of Leeds fans after the club’s official Twitter account shared the footage with the caption: “Promoted because of Covid. Won the league by 10 points. Hi @primevideosport”.
Leeds have not apologised for the tweet itself, with Radrizzani previously defending the club’s actions.
In response to a tweet claiming the club took part in a ‘disgusting act’, the Italian said: “I take the responsibility of the Club tweet.”

He added: “I consider that comment completely unnecessary and disrespectful to our Club and particularly to the fantastic hard work of our players and coaches whom were understanding on the pitch for the last two championship seasons by all stats.”
Carney, who retired from football last July, has yet to publicly address the abuse she received.
Women in Football, however, have passed comment on the incident, condemning Leeds for their actions.
They said: “Whether you agree with the comment or not, singling out and ridiculing an individual on an official club account is not what we’re here for.
“Karen Carney is a well-informed pundit. This tweet is inciteful & inappropriate. Not a good look now, or at any time.”
Former Leeds star Rio Ferdinand has called on the club to delete the post with other prominent members of the sporting community slamming the tweet.
According to The Times, Leeds have reached out to Carney over the matter and have invited her to their training ground for a TV report ahead of their FA Cup third-round clash with Crawley Town next month.
Leeds will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, travelling to north London to take on Tottenham. More

LEEDS UNITED have fired back at Karen Carney after the Amazon Prime pundit claimed they only won promotion to the Premier League because of coronavirus.
Leeds put down a marker by smashing West Brom 5-0 on Tuesday to make it three wins from their last four games.

Leeds have fired back at Karen Carney after she said they won promotion because of coronavirusCredit: Amazon

Strikes from Ezgjan Alioski, Jack Harrison, Rodrigo and Raphinha followed an unbelievable own-goal from Romaine Sawyers.
But Carney, 33, questioned whether Marcelo Bielsa’s all-action Leeds will be able to keep up their manic style of play for the rest of the season.
The former England international, who won 144 caps for the Lionesses, also claimed Leeds only won promotion from the Championship last term after getting a rest when coronavirus halted the football season.
Carney, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, 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.
“I don’t know if they’d have got up if they didn’t have that break.”
However, Leeds fired back at Carney with a post on Twitter – with the post drawing some criticism for inviting a ‘pile-on’ of sexist abuse aimed at the ex-footballer.
It said: “‘Promoted because of Covid’. Won the league by 10 points. Hi @primevideosport.”

As Leeds themselves pointed out, they finished last season on 93 points – ten ahead of nearest rivals West Brom.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side also won their last five games before lockdown came in without conceding once.
However, the season before – the last full season played – Leeds had dominated in the opening months of the season before running out of steam and failing to advance in the play-offs.
Carney did have kind words for Leeds’ brilliant performance against the Baggies on the night.
She added: “Two newly promoted teams and the difference between them in terms of class, quality and also fitness and intensity.
“Leeds were outstanding, we’ve criticised them in the last couple of weeks about clean sheets and how much they’ve conceded.
“That’s two back-to-back clean sheets now. I know we said about Meslier earlier, he’s unorthodox in what he does, but again two clean sheets.
“Fabulous performance and attacking-wise as clinical as ever.”

Marcelo Bielsa reacts to Leeds’ landslide defeat of West Brom More

AMAZON mistakenly thought Chelsea had taken the lead through Christian Pulisic’s early shot against Aston Villa.
The American winger, 22, slammed the ball into the side netting in the 12th minute causing the virtual crowd noise to stir and Amazon’s live scoreboard to show Chelsea leading 1-0.

Amazon showed Chelsea leading 1-0 when Christian Pulisic hit the side nettingCredit: Amazon

Pulisic had a great early opening but shot just off targetCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement

The former Borussia Dortmund man had pounced on a loose pass to fashion an opening but rattled the wrong side of the net.
He was a constant threat and bright spark for Frank Lampard’s side as they looked to bounce back from the 3-1 hammering at Arsenal on Boxing Day.
Lampard rung the changes with six new players in the starting XI with the boss being forced to use the full of extent of his squad with two games in as many days.
And he seemed to get an immediate response from his side with Pulisic’s effort the best chance from a lively opening.

The Blues did take the lead for real when Olivier Giroud’s pinpoint header beat Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal after 34 minutes.
Giroud rushed to celebrate with left-back Ben Chilwell whose wicked delivery into the box had perfectly teed up the French forward.
But Chelsea were stung just five minutes into the second-half when Anwar El Ghazi equalised from Matty Cash’s cross.
Lampard’s side were furious after Andreas Christensen went down in a collision with Jack Grealish in the build-up.

But referee Stuart Attwell – who blanked Tammy Abraham pre-game – saw nothing wrong and it was too far back for VAR to intervene.
Chilwell almost won the game – which finished 1-1 – right at the death for Chelsea as his sweetly struck volley whistled right past the post.
Chelsea are due to play Manchester City on January 3 but after the Citizens’ game against Everton was postponed due to Covid cases it’s unclear whether the match can go ahead.
After the match, Lampard said on Amazon Prime Sport: “It’s something we’ll discuss given we’ve got them at the weekend and see what the position is.
“I’m not absolutely clear on the rules in terms of Covid cases and how many [to call the game off] and what happens so it’s something I’ll have to pick up with our medical team and the Premier League.”
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