Rishi Sunak responds as his side Southampton promoted back to the Premier League after prime minister subjected to vile chants from Leeds United fans before Wembley clash
- Rishi Sunak has congratulated Southampton on securing promotion to the top level
- A group of fans were heard singing about Saints fan Sunak in King’s Cross
- Will Leeds be a serious side if they get promoted back to the Premier League? Listen to the It all starts! podcast
Southampton fan Rishi Sunak has congratulated Russell Martin’s side after they secured promotion to the Premier League on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister was subjected to vicious chants from Leeds supporters arriving in London ahead of the Championship play-off final.
The fans were branded ‘sick’ after they were filmed singing a song about Mr Sunak.
Leeds would suffer a 1-0 defeat to Southampton, with Adam Armstrong’s decisive first-half strike sealing victory for the south coast side, who will now return to the top flight after a year’s break.
After the win, Mr Sunak took to X (formerly Twitter) to write: ‘We’re back’, before adding three ‘clapping hands’ emojis.
Southampton fan Rishi Sunak congratulated Russell Martin’s side on X (formerly Twitter) after they secured promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 win against Leeds at Wembley
Leeds fans head to Wembley ahead of the play-off final with Southampton
Sunak is a Southampton fan and was present for the play-off semi-final win over West Brom on May 17 (pictured)
Some Leeds fans could be seen singing about Sunak, a Southampton supporter, on the way to the stadium.
Fans at King’s Cross station were heard chanting: ‘We are Leeds, we are mean, Rishi Sunak is a paedophile.’
While some social media users found the clip funny, others condemned the supporters for the “sick” chant.
‘I can’t stand the Tories and Rishi Sunak, but this is not OK. Saying someone is so disgustingly dirty when they are not is not only dangerous but sick,” one person responded.
‘Some words should never be thrown around so easily, joke or not. This word is one. Shameful.’
Another replied: ‘I hate the Tories with a passion but this is not acceptable. He has a family and should not be subjected to this.”
Sunak was in the stands last week as Southampton booked their place in the play-off final.
The Saints beat West Brom 3–1 in the second leg at St Mary’s, setting up the showdown with Leeds.
Sunak had laughed off a question earlier this week about whether he would rather see Southampton promoted or win the general election.
The Prime Minister expressed hope that striker Che Adams will be fit to line up at Wembley, but the 27-year-old did not make the starting line-up and instead came on in the second half as a replacement for Ryan Fraser.
Southampton were promoted to the Premier League after a 1-0 win over Leeds at Wembley
Adam Armstrong’s clinical strike in the first half proved decisive, with Leeds unable to find an equalizer
The Prime Minister said he was ‘buzzed’ for the final after watching Saints beat West Brom last week
“Well it was great to be at St Mary’s with my family on Friday evening,” Sunak told GB News.
‘I have never experienced such an atmosphere at St Mary’s, at least for years. It was really great, I’m very happy for everyone.
‘I’m looking forward to Sunday, hoping that Che Adams is fit and we can march back to the Premier League. Here we come.’
Sunak’s comments came ahead of his announcement on Wednesday that the general election will take place on July 4.
The Prime Minister made a blunder on Thursday after asking brewery staff in Wales if they were looking forward to football despite their team failing to qualify for Euro 24.