What was meant to be a respectful and heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota has turned into a whirlwind of controversy, as Leeds United find themselves under fire for a single detail in their condolence message. What could have been a moment of unity in mourning has instead become a lightning rod for online backlash, as fans across social media accuse the Yorkshire club of gross insensitivity, with some even demanding a public apology.
Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident just days after his wedding, left the footballing world in mourning. Clubs, players, and fans from around the globe united in grief, paying tribute to the Portuguese forward known for his class, humility, and talent. But when Leeds United published their message of condolence, eagle-eyed fans noticed something they found deeply offensive—and they didn’t stay quiet.
Now, Leeds United are facing one of the most unexpected PR storms of the year, and the club’s silence in the face of the backlash is only adding fuel to the fire.
The Message That Sparked Outrage
On the morning after Diogo Jota’s death was confirmed, clubs around the world began releasing statements on social media. Leeds United joined them, posting a short message on X (formerly Twitter):
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends, and everyone at Liverpool Football Club following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Rest in peace.”
At first glance, it seemed like a respectful, if brief, tribute—similar in tone and wording to other clubs’ statements. But within minutes, replies began flooding the comment section, pointing out one glaring issue that quickly went viral.
The Offensive Detail: A Photo Blunder That Shocked Fans
The problem wasn’t just in the wording. It was in the image attached to the tweet.
Leeds United’s media team had used a stock image of Anfield, featuring the Liverpool team from 2021—but notably, Diogo Jota wasn’t even in the photo. Even worse, front and center in the image was Patrick Bamford, a Leeds player, celebrating a goal he had scored against Liverpool in a previous season.
Fans immediately erupted in disbelief.
“How can you post a tribute to Diogo Jota and use a picture that doesn’t even include him? What were you thinking?” one fan wrote.
“That’s Bamford celebrating a goal against Liverpool. Are you serious right now?” another added.
Soon after, #LeedsDisrespect and #JotaTribute began trending in the UK, as fans demanded an explanation.
“You Had One Job” – Backlash Goes Global
The criticism wasn’t limited to Liverpool fans. Supporters from all corners of the footballing world began piling in.
“You had one job. Show some respect. This isn’t about rivalry. It’s about a man who lost his life,” tweeted a Chelsea fan account.
One Portuguese journalist described the post as “shocking and careless,” while a well-known Italian pundit called it “the kind of mistake that damages a club’s reputation overnight.”
In a bizarre twist, even some Leeds United fans joined in on the outrage.
“I’m a Leeds supporter and this is embarrassing. Whoever posted this should delete it and apologize. Jota deserved better,” wrote one user.
“It makes us look petty and tone-deaf. Fix it. Now,” added another.
Club Remains Silent – And That’s Making It Worse
What has really pushed the controversy into full-blown scandal territory is the club’s refusal to acknowledge the backlash. As of 24 hours after the post went live, Leeds United still had not deleted or corrected the message, nor had they issued a clarification or apology.
That silence has been taken by many as indifference—or worse, arrogance.
“They messed up, and now they’re pretending they didn’t. That’s almost more offensive than the original post,” said one user on Reddit.
Many fans compared Leeds’ tribute to those of other clubs. Manchester United, despite their fierce rivalry with Liverpool, posted a simple black graphic with a picture of Jota smiling and the words: “Gone too soon. Rest in peace, Diogo.”
Even lower-tier clubs like Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley included pictures of Jota in their tributes.
“If Tranmere can get this right, why can’t Leeds?” wrote one user.
The Rivalry Angle – Or Just Sheer Incompetence?
Some speculated that the image selection wasn’t a mistake at all—but rather a subtle jab at Liverpool, made under the veil of a tribute. While there is no evidence to support this, the theory gained traction online, especially among fans who believe the club’s media team should have vetted the post more carefully.
“You don’t accidentally post a photo of your striker celebrating against the team you’re supposedly mourning with. That’s either a joke or you’re wildly incompetent,” argued a sports editor for a major UK newspaper.
However, others suggested it was simply a rush job by a media intern or junior staff member, published without proper review.
“This is what happens when clubs treat social media like an afterthought,” said one PR expert. “There are real-world consequences when you make mistakes like this—especially in moments of tragedy.”
Former Players Weigh In
Adding more weight to the controversy, several former players took to social media to express their dismay.
Jermaine Beckford, a former Leeds striker, posted on Instagram:
“Respect goes beyond rivalry. You don’t play games when someone’s lost their life. Leeds need to fix this.”
Luis Garcia, the former Liverpool and Barcelona winger, tweeted:
“Football is a family. What Leeds posted—intentional or not—was careless. Respect is the minimum.”
What Happens Next?
At the time of writing, Leeds United are reportedly holding an internal review of the situation. Some sources claim that club officials were “shocked” by the reaction and are now considering taking down the post quietly and replacing it with a corrected version.
However, fans are unlikely to forget the incident any time soon. The club’s handling of the situation may have already done lasting damage to its image—particularly among neutrals and Liverpool supporters who saw this moment as an opportunity to unite in grief.
Final Thoughts: When Silence Is the Loudest Statement
In the footballing world, where rivalries run deep and emotions run high, moments of tragedy are meant to bring people together. The death of Diogo Jota was one of those moments—an opportunity for clubs to put competition aside and show humanity.
Leeds United had that opportunity. And whether through carelessness or something more, they missed it—badly.
Worse still, their silence in the aftermath has spoken louder than any words ever could.
As one fan aptly put it:
“Jota deserved dignity. His family deserved empathy. Leeds gave us a goal celebration.”
It’s a moment the club may regret for a long, long time.
