Victor Orta has said that he is ‘sorry’ after being spotted mocking Leeds fans after the win against Bournemouth at the weekend.
The Spaniard was filmed chanting ‘sack the board’ at his own club’s supporters in the West Stand below the directors’ box.
This led to some anger on social media and a vow from the Leeds United Supporters Trust to take up the incident with the club.
In a statement given to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Orta has apologised for his role but revealed he has been on the receiving end of abusive phone calls after his number was distributed.
“I would like to say sorry for my reaction after the game yesterday,” he said.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but in the end I am human. The past few months have been very difficult for everyone at the club. I have been subjected to a lot of abuse in person, in writing and via phone calls, after my number was deliberately given out last month.”
Orta, whose displays of passion in the directors box have previously found favour among the Leeds fanbase and been the subject of a running joke in CEO Angus Kinnear’s matchday programme notes, also reiterated his appreciation for the club’s supporters and the impact they have made in games.
“I love and respect Leeds United fans,” he adds.
“The atmosphere at Elland Road and across the country at every game is incomparable and has helped us to get over the line on many occasions, I thank the fan base for that. I will be sure to try to keep my emotions in check in future.”
@talkleeds_ Orta after the Leeds win shouting sack the board. pic.twitter.com/EANTYm8gqh
— Mark Cummins (@MarkCum50815375) November 6, 2022
Victor Orta has said that he is ‘sorry’ after being spotted mocking Leeds fans after the win against Bournemouth at the weekend.
The Spaniard was filmed chanting ‘sack the board’ at his own club’s supporters in the West Stand below the directors’ box.
This led to some anger on social media and a vow from the Leeds United Supporters Trust to take up the incident with the club.
In a statement given to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Orta has apologised for his role but revealed he has been on the receiving end of abusive phone calls after his number was distributed.
“I would like to say sorry for my reaction after the game yesterday,” he said.
“I don’t want to make excuses, but in the end I am human. The past few months have been very difficult for everyone at the club. I have been subjected to a lot of abuse in person, in writing and via phone calls, after my number was deliberately given out last month.”
Orta, whose displays of passion in the directors box have previously found favour among the Leeds fanbase and been the subject of a running joke in CEO Angus Kinnear’s matchday programme notes, also reiterated his appreciation for the club’s supporters and the impact they have made in games.
“I love and respect Leeds United fans,” he said.
“The atmosphere at Elland Road and across the country at every game is incomparable and has helped us to get over the line on many occasions, I thank the fan base for that. I will be sure to try to keep my emotions in check in future.”
Unbelievable scenes at full-time between Leeds United and Brentford…#LUFC‘s director of football Victor Orta was NOT happy with someone in the crowd following Patrick Bamford’s late equaliser 😳 pic.twitter.com/6r6zUF7P9c
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) December 5, 2021
Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, who provide a voice for Leeds fans, said: “There’s expressing passion and there’s been disrespectful to your own fans. Will send that feedback to the club.
“It’s a definite split in opinions, but thanks to the club for acknowledging this to those who didn’t agree with it. We’ve received the following: I would like to say sorry for my reaction after the game yesterday. I don’t want to make excuses, but in the end I am human.
“The past few months have been very difficult for everyone at the club. I have been subjected to a lot of abuse in person, in writing and via phone calls, after my number was deliberately given out last month.
“I love and respect Leeds United fans. The atmosphere at Elland Road.
“Elland Road and across the country at every game is incomparable and has helped us to get over the line on many occasions, I thank the fan base for that. I will be sure to try to keep my emotions in check in future.
“Thanks to the club for acknowledging it, let’s draw a line under it and move on to Spurs – Marching on Together”
Leeds produced a sensational comeback to beat Bournemouth 4-3 at Elland Road; Crysencio Summerville scored the winner having been 3-1 down to top of the thrilling Premier League clash.
Player ratings
Leeds: Meslier (6), Kristensen (6), Koch (6), Cooper (7), Struijk (7), Adams (6), Roca (6), Harrison (6), Aaronson (6), Summerville (7), Rodrigo (7).
Subs: Gnonto (8), Greenwood (8), Gelhardt (n/a), Ayling (n/a).
Bournemouth: Travers (6), Smith (6), Mepham (6), Senesi (6), Fredericks (6), Cook (6), Lerma (6), Billing (7), Tavernier (7), Solanke (7), Moore (6).
Subs: Stacey (6), Rothwell (n/a), Stanislas (n/a).
Player of the match: Sam Greenwood.
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch said he wants a simpler ride after his side’s rollercoaster season continued.
When asked if he had enjoyed the last fortnight, Marsch replied: “No. The good part is we feel like we can win now. Before it was like we were more waiting to lose. I think we’ve flipped that.
“I want to make things simple for us, but that’s not the Leeds way I hear.
“We’re just looking for consistency. It makes life easier for a manager instead of living on the edge of your emotion. I feel like we never have simple victories.”
This is what social media users had to say with Victor Orta ‘sorry’ after being spotted mocking Leeds fans after win against Bournemouth…
@StuartWeinstoc1: You have to admire his passion
@ryanjohnd83: @andrearadri you up for a meeting with us, the fans, let us speak to you directly over the break? Let us hear what your plans are, excuses are?? Il tell you my issues, our issues?? See of there is still common ground or has the board totally disregarded the fanbase. Il fly to you, for a meeting, wherever you want, whenever you want. No crap, no bullshit, just a Frank conversation. You up for that @andrearadri
@JohnmjtJt1919: He really shouldn’t be doing this, unprofessional, and poor from him.
@Ash_LUFC_: @andrearadri do the right thing and sack him
@mhutch1973: Don’t blame him, people who think they can do a better job slagging them off!! Look how far we’ve come because of these people
@leodis74: Hmmmm fans will always have a voice as they are the real owners of the club. These guys have done a good job a very good job but this does not mean they are immune to criticism. It’s fairly incredible to suggest that the fans shouof shut up and put up come what may.
@wayneleedsfan: But heres the one thats driving me berserk, How is Victor Orta still in work?
@jamesjamesbrown: Finding Struijk, Meslier, Somerville, Raphina, hiring Bielsa. Just a few reasons. Would you prefer to go back to Cellino?
@jamesjamesbrown: People moaning about this. Get over yourselves. We’d still be falling about in bottom half of Champ without these guys. They haven’t always appointed right managers but they’ve found some great players and the club in general is much better than it was. Short memories.
@hank_lufc: If you give it, you have to be able to take it. He’s always the first one to get abused when things go wrong. It’s good to see him showing passion
@Calebleeds23: His summer signings have all been great. People should appreciate what he’s done tbf. He doesn’t offer funds. That’s not his job.
@lufcmacs: Generally been supportive of Orta but he doesn’t help himself. This is not how board members should behave. It’s one thing having passion but this takes a piss. Clown. Sack the board.
@mattstuart66: Orta’s behaviour is unacceptable, but it’s good to have passion, football clubs are devoid of it these days. He rightly gets criticism for JKA and Firpo, but remember it was Summerville, Greenwood and Gnoto that turned the game yesterday. Orta signed them all.
@GKFT: Beyond self entitled
@Gelharneta: People just think they would do a better job, Orta’s bets work 1 out of 3 times, but those bets have got us to where we are, good or bad situation, but better where we came from
@ChrisFretwell1: What an embarrassment. Takes the shine off the win when he acts the way he does. Not sure we can expect any more when his boss is Radrizzani I suppose. Classless.
@bothberie: We regularly give the board abuse when things go wrong because we’re passionate about our team. I think it’s fair he gives us some back when we’re (temporarily or otherwise) proven wrong. It’s clearly a passion for him as well. We all love this club. 💙🤍💛 #lufc #MOT #ALAW
@kianlufc: Such an insufferable bellend making it all about himself once again. Literally a few days ago we lost the JKA case which was your deal in the first place. So yeah sack the board and i hope he’s the first one gone
@JuceeRob: Arrogant and disrespectful. After not winning since August fans were right to ask questions – back to back wins is nice but we aren’t out of trouble yet. This is tone deaf from Orta. @andrearadri @LUFC #lufc
@WhatNeilTweets: In a week where we concede 3 at home against Bournemouth and lose an 18m court case as a result of a major boardroom error. Absolute clown #lufc
@BC_LUFC: I was prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt after the majority of the summer signings look good, but maybe it’s Marsch’s talent ID that is just good. Orta can do one
@aidenlufc: You and your dickhead need to shut the fuck up and fuck off @andrearadri🤞🏽
@TylerSt02527491: Just spunked 18 million quid on a player that’s not even ours, failed to sign a lb and striker, the fans pay money and we were promised this season wouldn’t be a shitshow, the deadline day was a shitshow, maybe stop being a raving cokehead and listen to the fans #lufc
@LukeM1919: Care to explain what this unbearable bellend is doing? @andrearadri the mistakes you lot have made over these last 2 years is embarrassing, we beat Bournemouth at home and the board are sshhing the fans, amateurs the lot of you
@Tom83491351: So we can give it and expect him to take it, but he can’t? 😂 Don’t be wet, cmon, rough with the smooth and all that
@SmithersJones6: Lot of people being oversensitive about this. Seems people can dish it out but can’t take it. These guys are under huge pressure. I think he can be forgiven for giving some back in the heat of the moment, especially given the pivotal role of Gnonto, a signing fans moaned about.
@WainmanJoe: If it ain’t Radz tweeting all the time, it’s Angus insulting fans’ intelligence in a condescending tone, and now this but then again, why should we complain because we once had Bates in charge right. 🤯🤬
@henry_welford00: Blokes a tosser
@WillPlimmer04: Absolute weasel of a man
@RobboRobbins1: Love passion, but he’s an aggressive idiot. We pay his salary, we are entitled to be disgruntled when things go wrong, he should let the long term result prove us wrong and not emotive goading!
@Michael_TSB: Having scraped a win vs relegation favourites a few days after being ordered to pay 18m for a player who managed about half an hour for us. Really not the time.
@CharlieLUFC97: Don’t get me wrong, great come back and glad we got the win, but thinking it’s acceptable to act like this to the fans after scraping past Bournemouth is embarrassing🤡 #LUFC
Angus’ face 😂
— Lee Hutchinson (@leemhutchinson) November 6, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login