James Maddison slammed for ‘disgraceful’ antics as Leicester crash out of top four

James Maddison has been slammed for his ‘disgraceful’ antics as Leicester crash out of top four in a 4-2 defeat against Tottenham.

The 24 year old attacking midfielder has been dubbed ‘disrespectful’ and ‘disgraceful’ for allegedly laughing and joking with Tottenham players – including Harry Kane – after his side fell out of the Premier League‘s Champions League places.

Spurs condemned the Foxes to finish fifth and miss out on Champions League football on the final day, despite spending 242 days inside the top four – more than any other club in the top flight this season.

Maddison ended up struggling to make the same impact in Brendan Rodgers’ team ever since his recent return from injury, with the midfielder substituted in the 62nd minute.

His poor display, as well as his antics at full time after the club’s top four disappointment, left Matt, a Leicester fan, raging.

He told talkSPORT: “The thing that really riled me today is look at Wesley Fofana, which had a massive impact on the game, he goes off in tears when he was taken off the pitch.

“James Maddison, who was substituted, came on the pitch cracking jokes, fangirling over [Harry] Kane, even players like [Heung-min] Son who he’s probably never met in his life… how disrespectful is that to what’s just happened today?

“I know we’re lucky to have a player like Maddison, but you guys only see the highlight reel, when you watch him week in, week out, he’s so frustrating.

“Since his injury and his discipline from that despicable action when he went to that party, it’s like we’ve been playing with ten men!

“If he’d have played in the FA Cup final, this would have been a disastrous season, make no mistake.

“He’s taken no responsibility, he got hooked at 62 minutes and he’s on the pitch laughing and joking and hugging Kane? It’s disgraceful.”

Maddison has really struggled when it comes to form since returning from a hip injury last month, putting his Euros chances, well, what Euros chances? They’ve surely gone if there ever was any.

He’s failed to score a goal or register an assist in nine matches with Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate announcing his 26-man squad on Tuesday.

Player ratings

Leicester: Schmeichel (6), Castagne (6), Fofana (n/a), Soyuncu (7), Albrighton (6), Ndidi (7), Thomas (7), Tielemans (7), Maddison (6), Iheanacho (5), Vardy (7).

Subs used: Mendy (7), Pereira (6), Perez (n/a).

Tottenham: Lloris (6), Doherty (7), Alderweireld (7), Sanchez (6), Reguilon (7), Winks (7), Hojbjerg (7), Bergwijn (6), Alli (6), Son (7), Kane (8).

Subs used: Bale (8), Moura (6), Rodon (n/a).

Man of the match: Harry Kane.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers: “We said before that if we didn’t make it, we’d be disappointed. We were twice up in the game, we struggled without the presence of Wesley, who went off early, and Jonny (Evans) not being in there.

“It hurts at the moment and probably will do for a few days. But when I look back overall and reflect on what the players have given, despite the obstacles we’ve had, I’ll have great pride in what they’ve achieved.

“They’ve battled and with the players that we’ve had out that make a difference for us, we’ve kept it going until the very end. There’s huge disappointment now, but also pride in how we’ve fought until the very end.

“I’ve always said it – we deserve to finish fifth over the course of the 38 games. I don’t go with the one that we deserve to be there because we’ve been there for so many weeks, that doesn’t really matter. Top four is being there at the end of the season.

“Our test and challenge is can we arrive in the top six. Where we’re at and what we’re competing with is some of the biggest and best clubs in world football. On a football front, we’re there to compete and to fight and that’s what we’ll look to do.

“The young squad, they’ve got that taste of winning and it’s always hard to win in the Premier League and win the trophies, but we’re here to fight and we push and improve on and off the pitch.

“We put up an incredible fight to finish there [in the top four] against some huge teams and we were ahead of teams that should be in there. We’ll come back next year hoping to disrupt the top six again.”

Tottenham interim manager Ryan Mason: “It’s not where we want to be. We want to be higher up and competing in the big competitions but we are in Europe for another season. We respect that any competition and we’ll go into it with full respect.

“I’m sure there are a lot of things [that haven’t put Tottenham where they want to be], probably things that happened before I was here. But what I can tell you is that in the five weeks I’ve had, there are professionals in there that want to work for the club, fight for the club. I think we’ve seen today the effort to keep competing, to keep running and of course, we have the quality as well.

😡 “Maddison cracking jokes on the pitch… how disrespectful!”

😠 “He’s so frustrating. Since his injury it’s been like playing with 10 men.”

😤 “He got hooked at 60 mins & he was laughing & joking? Disgraceful!

Matt the #LCFC fan wasn’t happy with James Maddison at full time pic.twitter.com/qz5vgqktKe

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 23, 2021

“I’m pleased to finish in this way, especially after Wednesday, which was difficult for us to have it in our own hands and lose that. We responded and did all we could today so we have to take some positives from that.

“Obviously there was a lot riding on it for both teams. We felt that and I think at times in the second half we used that to our benefit.

“I’m going to have some time to relax and reflect on what has been a crazy five weeks, but five weeks I have enjoyed and feel honoured to be a part of.”

Fans reacted with James Maddison slammed for his ‘disgraceful’ antics as Leicester crash out of the top four…

@cr07der: Not a fan, seen him throwing himself on the deck trying to get opposition players booked. Can play football so hope he matures quickly…..

@PaulOBoulton: In fairness so was vardy

@S1monLee: @Madders10 Laughing and joking in the pitch today despite blowing CL. You are an arrogant and self obsessive human being. Enjoy watching the euros on tv. Plenty of time for parties with Perez and whores though

@S1monLee: @LCFC Get rid of this clown ffs.

@CookP1985: Spot on this 5 a side player Maddison there’s about 30 more I’d take in league before him

@Alexfield_94: @aidypro19 not wrong is he!

@LeeJackson9: Don’t get the fuss with Maddison, flash bastard. Strolls round the pitch as if he’s done it all when he actually has done nothing.

@jamesgriffiths2: Exactly why I don’t want him near the England team! he’s a luxury player at best, doesn’t have the mentality of Mount / Foden.

@iam_wilsons: Please what happened to Man United fans and James Maddison obsession that year? 🤣🤣 #Madders2020

@bateman_sir: He’s right though. Maddison comes across as a cocky shit during interviews. Thinks he’s better than he is.

@paxtonspurs: @Madders10 Gareth Bale taught you a bit in a small space of time Sunday, hope you took note. Maybe you’ll be good one day #COYS #THFC

@ManiaaSZN: Fuck off @Madders10 having a laugh with Kane, we seen it with chilwell too

@89_Benjii: Can’t believe people thought he’s better than Mount and Grealish 😂

@simonfell89: @Madders10 you mad, bro?

@JDLCFCUK: The way he’s played and acted back end of the season would we miss him when he’s gone ?

Bet you hate Bale even more now @Madders10 https://t.co/yZGmhYLsVC

— Paddy (@coysontoast) May 24, 2021