Leeds United Supporters Club is apparently deeply unhappy with Andrea Radrizzani’s reported exploration, and alleged exploitation, of the Elland Road club as collateral for a bank loan he was raising to buy Sampdoria.<\/p>\n
Immediately disposing of his Leeds United and Elland Road shares is the quickest way for Andrea Radrizzani to begin salvaging his rapidly-tarnishing reputation. That is the view of Leeds United Supporters Club.<\/p>\n
The club was relegated on Sunday from the Premier League but Radrizzani was not even in attendance to see the match play out. The Italian has only lately been seen in public in Italy, where he has spent the past few weeks putting together a move in an attempt to take control of Sampdoria.<\/p>\n
With the unsavory backdrop of ownership instability looming large in Leeds \u2013 and 49ers Enterprises conveniently keen to buy Radrizzani\u2019s 56 per cent shareholding \u2013 the Whites chairman executed his sleight-of-hand flourish to achieve a breakthrough with Sampdoria on Tuesday night. This morning, The Athletic\u00a0reported on a proposal by the owner to use Elland Road\u00a0as collateral against a loan to buy the Genoese outfit.<\/p>\n
Although there is no evidence yet to suggest the proposal has become reality, Radrizzani\u2019s callous intention of using Elland Road to buy another football club has angered the fan base. John Mann, chair of Leeds United Supporters Club, has released a statement on behalf of the fan group.<\/p>\n
\u201cAndrea Radrizzani is no longer an appropriate person to own Leeds United,\u201d he said. \u201cHis behavior is appalling and he risks never being welcome at our club again.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sooner he goes the better and we look forward to the 49ers Enterprises offer being accepted. The only way he can begin to salvage his reputation is through an immediate sale of the club and the stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be a major question mark about whether he is a fit and proper person to own a football club if he attempts to stay on as owner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Radrizzani\u2019s response to The Athletic was: \u201cWhat Aser Ventures does with its assets, which includes several companies including Leeds United, Greenfield and Elland Road, it\u2019s none of your business.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cYou can do what you want, but you are just trying to put Leeds United fans against myself. It is not nice.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"