“Harsh treatment because he plays for Leeds United” – A lot of Leeds fans are furious at FA punishment handed out to young Jordan Stevens.
The 19-year-old was found guilty of breaking betting regulations on the 10th of September and was banned from all football-related activity for six weeks.
Stevens bet on 59 matches, including five Whites games – with a total stake of £510.12.
The punishment was described by Leeds as disproportionate and meant that Stevens could not even attend training or interact with anyone from the club.
Surely there is a better way to educate a young footballer who has made a mistake?
Excluding him from all football-related activities is hardly going to help his integration or development.
Of course, this is not the first time Leeds have felt the football governing bodies have overly punished them.
Last season the Whites were charged £200,000 over “Spygate,” and it is easy to see why many Leeds supporters have not reacted well to this latest charge.
See the best of the reaction below.
Jordan Stevens is back at Leeds United after his betting offences and everyone agrees that he deserved to be punished. But was a complete exile from the club for six weeks the right way to treat a 19 year old?https://t.co/mFGrUTUoRc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 25, 2019
No, he should’ve been given support and help doing workshops and seeing a counsellor, professional help to avoid or overcome his gambling addiction.
— Ian blackburn (@ianblacky79) October 25, 2019
What support (if any) has he been offered? The football league is propped up by gambling companies and then they get on their high horse when a 19 year old falls into it?!
— eloise alice ???????? (@eloise_0) October 25, 2019
He deserved to be punished but surely some of that punishment should have been some education about gambling and addiction awareness,not leaving the poor lad all on his own,I’d have sent him to work at a gambling addiction centre or something
— flabbergasted (@Esmesdaddio) October 25, 2019
These Leeds fans feel the FA have made a terrible decision, and they want to know what help has been offered to Stevens.
Double standards from EFL/FA you can be twice over the drink drive limit yet get a slap on the wrist and it’s ok you can play for your club at the weekend but they alienate a 19 year old to sit at home for 6 weeks when all he really needed was to be with his mates training
— Mark Foster (@MarkFos24318702) October 25, 2019
Poor decision EFL. They should stand by him, the young ones are still learning. Considering the drink drivers at Derby and Sheff utd were still eligible to play makes a mockery of a decision like this. We also have betting on our shirts !!! Exercise helps wellbeing n all that
— Until the world stops going round (@inbielsawetrust) October 25, 2019
Considering all the drink driving offences in the FL and PL and then let them play for their teams ?? I think Jordan Stevens was treated a bit harsh .
— kev lufc brooks (@MrKevUK) October 25, 2019
Harsh treatment that’s because he plays for Leeds United
— kevwotto (@kevwotto1) October 25, 2019
Other Whites fans believe the FA are hypocrites because of their involvement with betting companies but also the lack of bans handed out to the two Derby County drink drivers.