Stories of racism in football are too apparent with another hitting the headlines in the past week. Leeds ticket prices are known for being ridiculous, but it’s even worse when the club tries to make a dig about an away side not selling out. Also there might still around twelve games to go this season, but have two of the teams to be relegated in League One already set? All that to come in this weeks column!
Racism
Racism within society is a plague in itself. Despite efforts to eradicate it from the beautiful game, realistically and unfortunately it will probably always be around in some form during the near future. It therefore becomes a case of minimising it. However having a radio pundit come out with racist comments live on air really doesn’t help, especially when it’s the BBC.
This is the case of Craig Ramage who came out with some disgusting comments on air. In credit to the BBC they did act swiftly to remove the former player from his role and have issued an apology. But, initially the BBC didn’t make a statement until Max Lowe of Derby called Ramage out on social media. All the local radio station had done was edit the rant out of the podcast version of the original broadcast in hope no one had heard it. Quite simply the BBC should have condoned the actions quicker, they were quite clearly aware of them if they knew to edit it out.
As for Ramage the ramifications could be greater than just losing his job, a rare sight with cases of racism in the media. This would be long overdue to set an example, but just what that punishment may be is very much up in the air.
📅 Reading are the latest club to not sell out their away allocation, so extra tickets have now been made available to #LUFC fans in the West Stand — Leeds United (@LUFC) February 17, 2020
Leeds Ticket Price Jibe
Leeds United are notorious in the Championship for offering absurd ticket prices, for example their last home game against Reading offered the opportunity for Royals fans to pay out £39 on one adult ticket. Prices higher than the Premier League and way above most (not all) other Championship clubs. To put into perspective Reading only charged Leeds fans £20 for the pleasure of the reverse fixture.
The Whites sky-high prices are nothing new, but what is, is an attempt of a ‘jibe’ (if you can call it that) on Twitter. The official Leeds account tweeted about the above tweet as if it is unexpected and shameful that Reading are a number of clubs to not sell-out. Realistically that’s what you’d expect, even cheekier when those tickets then get offered to home fans at a cheaper rate. Although at only five pounds off that’s still a stupid price. Rightfully the Yorkshire side got plenty of stick, but never enough to change. It shouldn’t be allowed, it isn’t in the league above and ticket prices like this price working class fans out of the game.
🔛🔝@OfficialRUFC stay top after a 91st minute winner at @ASFCofficial, as @Coventry_City keep up the pace. @ftfc move into the Play-Off places with a massive win against @Pompey.
Not much change down at the bottom of the division as it stands! #EFL | #SkyBetLeagueOne pic.twitter.com/E3YF9vY8AB — Sky Bet League One (@SkyBetLeagueOne) February 22, 2020
Three Sides Already Relegated in League One It might only be late February but could two sides to slip from League One to League Two already be decided…? Well none of the teams are mathematically relegated they are as good as dead and buried without a miracle, and a huge one at that.
Bolton take up last place with 11 points, although they had started on -11 points. Not too far in-front is Sol Campbell’s Southend with 16 points and Tranmere completes the trio with 23 points for the moment but they have a three games in-hand and aren’t too far off those teams just above the drop zone. AFC Wimbledon are the next nearest side, but have a comfortable 8 point margin at the time of writing. It is quite possible Tranmere may avoid the drop, but the two sides below are as good as gone (and have been for some time) and it’s not even March!
Why not check out the previous column here discussing the £50m-rated Championship teeenager, Nigel Ranger’s plea to play for free and Sheffield Wednesday’s possible points deduction! Don’t forget to follow Talk the Football League on Twitter to hear all the latest Football League news and join in on the discussions @TalktheFL.
By Sam Greasley-Machin
