Loads of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Whites captain Liam Cooper apologised for an incident with a ball boy during our 2-1 defeat at Fulham in December.
The Championship clash saw the club’s 11-game unbeaten run come to an end, through goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Josh Onomah either side of Patrick Bamford’s second-half equaliser.
Cooper has now revealed that the Football Association have made him aware of an incident which occurred late in the Craven Cottage encounter, after a complaint was made that the 28-year-old used inappropriate language towards one of the host’s ball boys in the closing stages.
The incident occurred as Marcelo Bielsa’s United were chasing an equaliser in stoppage-time to avoid our only defeat in the second-tier since October 5, and Cooper has since offered his apologies to the ball boy in question while sending them some signed Leeds merchandise as an act of goodwill.
A statement from Cooper read: “The FA have brought it to my attention that during injury time in our game with Fulham in December I used some bad language in front of a ball boy.
“I was trying to get the ball back for a throw-in during the final moments of the game as we looked to equalise.
Did Cooper need to apologise for the incident?
Yes
No
“That isn’t an excuse, I’m the captain of Leeds United – a role I take extremely seriously – and I should know better.
“I apologise to the ball boy in question and his family. I’ve sent some boots and a shirt with a written apology to him Fulham to pass on. Once again, sorry.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Cooper’s post sharing his statement on social media…
It’s sad that you have to say this mate , it’s a football ground not a kinda garden #lufc
— Jonny Brown 💛💙💛💙 (@Jonnyboylufc) January 2, 2020
Don’t worry about it Coops. They got a free pen so they can sign their own shirt ☺️
— Ben Jones (@BenJonesLUFC) January 2, 2020
Class as always but the lad was obviously stopping you having the ball back as we looked to equalise.
— James💙💛 (@J_4710) January 2, 2020
Shouldn’t have to, but think it’s testimant to the man and captain cooper is for what he’s done.
— Adam Anderson 💙💛 (@APA_89) January 2, 2020
Has the world really come to this? A grown man swearing at football. Whatever next
— gareth senior (@SeniorGareth) January 2, 2020
Shouldn’t even have to do that
— Irish_Leeds 💙💛 (@Irish_Leeds) January 2, 2020
Imagine hearing bad language at a football match
— Matt (@LUFCWAFFLE) January 2, 2020
tell him to grow up
— H (@HarryLUFC_) January 2, 2020
In other Leeds United news, a BBC pundit has ripped into a £2.7m-rated Whites man for his recent performances.