Leeds United were stunned on Sunday, as left back Charlie Taylor refused to face Wigan Athletic.
Former Leeds pair Eric Cantona and Tony Dorigo lift the 1992 Charity Shield
Leeds United ended their season with a 1-1 draw against Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon, but were left stunned by left back Charlie Taylor’s refusal to play.
The Whites fell behind to an early goal from Ryan Tunnicliffe, but did hit back in the second half, with Chris Wood bagging the equaliser from the penalty spot after Eunan O’Kane had been fouled inside the penalty area.
Leeds didn’t get the miraculous set of results they needed on the final day of the season in order to reach the play-offs, but the focus after the game was on defender Charlie Taylor.
Taylor, 23, has been a mainstay in the Leeds side ever since Stephen Warnock’s departure to Derby County in 2015, and he has developed into one of the young English left backs around.
Rotherham United’s Will Vaulks in action with Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor
Many fans have expected Taylor to leave the club this summer given that his contract expires, and the Elland Road youth product appears to have burned his bridges with the club after refusing to play against Wigan.
Refusing to play the final game of the season when he can sign for any club of his choosing seems a frankly bizarre decision, as whilst Leeds can demand a compensation fee, they can’t stop him from leaving.
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum in action with Leeds’ Charlie Taylor
Rather than play one final game and leave with the respect of Leeds fans, Taylor has thrown it all away for the sake of not playing one game – and ex-Leeds ace Tony Dorigo has taken to Twitter to offer his views on the situation.
The former England international, who played more than 200 times for Leeds, believes Taylor has been naïve and badly let down by his agent, and even revealed that he was once asked to refuse to play in a bid to force a move – but rejected the notion, noting that players must have respect for the club and fans; something Taylor didn’t show on Sunday.
What do you think about Taylor’s refusal to play against Wigan?
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