Juventus loanee Weston McKennie jumps straight onto a train from Leeds as his dad takes aim at fans who chanted ‘you fat b*****d’ at him – as he bizarrely reposted a ‘RIP Harambe’ video – after he failed to earn a £30 million transfer
- McKennie has endured a miserable loan spell at Leeds since his arrival in January
- When the club was relegated on Sunday, fans turned against the American midfielder
- His father John took to social media to remind supporters that it’s a “team sport.”
Weston McKennie boarded a train straight from Leeds on Sunday night following their relegation from the Premier League as he prepares to return to Juventus following his miserable loan spell at Elland Road.
McKennie joined Leeds on loan from Juventus at the end of January, on his way to the Premier League to play under compatriot Jesse Marsch.
But just a week after his arrival, Marsch was sacked by the Whites amid a run of dismal form, and the American midfielder has been unable to find his feet under successors Javi Gracia – who was also sacked last month – and Sam Allardyce.
It turned out to be a nightmare for Leeds, who were relegated to the second tier of English football after a 4-1 home defeat by Tottenham on Sunday.
And as they slipped out of the Premier League, Whites supporters turned on some of their players at Elland Road, including mercenary McKennie.
Weston McKennie was seen catching a train from Leeds following their relegation from the Premier League
Leeds were relegated to the second tier of English football following their 4–1 defeat to Spurs
Substituted on the hour mark, the 24-year-old was subjected to ferocious chants of ‘you fat b*****d’ from the home crowd as they expressed their displeasure with his performance since joining from Juventus. .
He was then seen late on Sunday night on a train departing Leeds as he prepared to return to Italy after the club decided not to activate their £30 million option to buy him outright.
According to Twitter user @tammahuwho shared the footage of McKennie quickly exiting the train, the train was destined for Kings Cross station in London – about 30 minutes by train from Heathrow Airport.
After witnessing his son being berated by Leeds fans on Sunday, McKennie’s father John took to social media to lash out at the supporters in question, albeit while bizarrely citing a video dedicated to the famous gorilla Harambe on the seventh anniversary of his death.
He wrote: ‘All the best for LUFC! For those who supported Weston in a hostile environment, you have my respect! For those who don’t remember it’s a team sport, you live to fight another day.”
Fans were quick to point out his mistake, responding, “Mr. Mckennie, I think you quoted the wrong tweet.”
Another asked, “What’s harambe got to do with this?”
Others spoke words of encouragement for the McKennies after the sour end of Weston’s tenancy at Elland Road.
McKennie was subjected to ferocious chants of ‘you fat b*****d’ when he was substituted
All the best for LUFC! For those who supported Weston in a hostile environment, you have my respect! For those who don’t remember it’s a team sport, you live to fight another day. https://t.co/1sKM4EWjJD
— john mckennie (@airborne69) May 28, 2023
US midfielder John’s father (left) defended him on Twitter, reminding fans it’s a ‘team sport’
One of them said: ‘Too bad it never worked out! But Mckennie worked hard! Stripped of him because he really loved the man.”
Another commented, “It wasn’t an optimal environment for him. All the best. Fantastic family!’
While a third said: ‘Stunned. Was so lively for us to legitimately sign Weston. Disappointed that it turned out this way. All the best for Weston.”
McKennie will return to Juventus this summer on a two-year contract, although it remains to be seen whether he will be loaned out again in the 2023-24 season.
Leeds, meanwhile, must begin to prepare for championship life after their spell in the top flight came to an end.