Leeds will urge followers to vary the lyrics of a chant for Wilfried Gnonto after it was criticised for taking part in on racial stereotypes.
The 19-year-old Italian striker scored his first objective for the membership in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham, throughout which he was serenaded by supporters with a tune that features a reference to the scale of his penis.
The Elland Street anthem, which is sung to the tune of Los Lobos’ 1987 hit La Bamba, has the phrases: ‘Willy Gnonto, Willy Gnonto, he eats spaghetti, he drinks Moretti, his c***’s f****** large.’
Leeds will urge supporters to vary a Wilfried Gnonto chant after criticism that it performs on racial stereotypes
Gnonto was met with the mantra after scoring his first objective for the membership towards West Ham
After the mantra was first heard on Gnonto’s dwelling debut towards Bournemouth in November, the membership posted another final line of ‘he performs for United’ on social media and engaged with fan teams to attempt to persuade them to vary the phrases. Nevertheless, the unique tune rang spherical Elland Street once more on Wednesday.
Sportsmail understands Leeds will put the problem on the prime of their agenda at subsequent week’s Supporters Advisory Board assembly.
It’s the second time this season that there have been complaints a few chant referring to a participant’s manhood. Final month, Sunderland’s on-loan Manchester United winger Amad Diallo requested followers to vary a tune which included the lyrics: ‘He has the most important d*** within the Championship.’
The Ivory Coast worldwide, 20, stated: ‘Sunderland followers, I like your vitality. Listening to you sing my title is unbelievable, however we must be respectful. Let’s change the tune, preserve the noise and transfer ahead collectively.’
In 2017, Romelu Lukaku responded to an ‘offensive and discriminatory’ tune by Manchester United followers in regards to the dimension of his penis. The striker stated: ‘Followers have meant properly with their songs however let’s transfer on collectively.’
Gnonto was signed by Leeds for £3.8million from FC Zurich on the final day of the summer season switch window and made his debut for Jesse Marsch’s aspect off the bench of their shock win at Liverpool in October. His opener towards West Ham made him the youngest scorer for Leeds within the Premier League since James Milner in 2004.
Sung to the tune of 1987 hit La Bamba, the mantra references the scale of Gnonto’s manhood
Leeds have been contacted by anti-discrimination group Kick It Out in regards to the chant. They stated in an announcement: ‘Whereas we consider nearly all of followers singing this chant aren’t doing so with racist intent, we might stress that racial stereotypes are dangerous and offensive, regardless of the intention to indicate assist for a participant.
‘We urge followers to indicate assist with family-friendly language. We shall be working carefully with Leeds to make sure motion is taken.’
An FA spokesperson added: ‘We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive and discriminatory chants in stadiums and are decided to stamp this behaviour out. It should cease, and we assist any membership and their followers who attempt to eradicate this from the terraces.’
The San Francisco 49ers’ takeover of Leeds might face opposition from a middle-eastern purchaser, Sportsmail understands.
An settlement is in place for the NFL franchise, which already owns 44 per cent of the membership, to take full management subsequent yr. That deal is assumed to depend on Leeds staying within the Premier League, however was extensively seen as a formality.
Nevertheless, sources have disclosed that an unnamed third get together is now within the ‘early levels’ of constructing a transfer for the membership.
Sunderland’s Amad Diallo requested supporters modified lyrics to an analogous chant geared toward him
