Leeds United Hero’s Title Parade Antics Spark Online Fury: Smoking and Drinking Clip Ignites Controversy
A jubilant moment for Leeds United fans has turned into a firestorm of controversy after a viral clip from the club’s Championship title parade on May 5, 2025, surfaced online, showing a key player engaging in behavior that has enraged sections of the internet. The footage, capturing a Leeds hero smoking and drinking heavily during the open-top bus parade through the city center, has divided fans and sparked heated debates about professionalism, role models, and acceptable conduct for athletes. While the player’s identity remains unconfirmed in the clip, speculation points to a prominent figure from the title-winning squad, with Manor Solomon and Ethan Ampadu frequently mentioned in online discussions due to their high profiles during the celebrations.
Leeds United’s 2024/25 Championship triumph, sealed with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle thanks to Manor Solomon’s 91st-minute winner, marked a triumphant return to the Premier League after a two-year absence. The victory, which saw Leeds edge out Burnley on goal difference to claim the title, prompted an outpouring of joy in Yorkshire. On Bank Holiday Monday, an estimated 150,000 fans flooded Leeds city center for a mile-long open-top bus parade, transforming streets like The Headrow, City Square, and Boar Lane into a sea of white, yellow, and blue. Flares, chants, and celebrations created an electric atmosphere as Daniel Farke’s squad, including stars like Solomon, Ampadu, and Willy Gnonto, soaked in the adulation.
However, amidst the euphoria, a short video clip shared on platforms like X has shifted the narrative. The footage, reportedly taken near The Headrow as the parade passed the city’s Art Gallery, shows a player on one of the three open-top buses smoking what appears to be a cigarette or vape and consuming multiple drinks, with some onlookers claiming he appeared visibly intoxicated. The clip, which has garnered millions of views, has triggered a backlash from fans, pundits, and online commentators who deem the behavior “unacceptable” for a professional athlete representing a club of Leeds’ stature.
The video, first posted by an X user with the handle
@LUFCViralClips
, captures a chaotic scene with yellow and blue smoke from flares obscuring parts of the bus. Through the haze, the player is seen holding a drink in one hand and a smoking device in the other, laughing and engaging with teammates as fans chant below. The caption accompanying the post read, “Leeds hero letting loose a bit TOO much at the parade? This ain’t the image we want from our club. #LUFC #Disgrace.” Within hours, the clip spread across X, Reddit, and football forums, amassing thousands of comments and retweets.
Critics online were quick to condemn the player’s actions. One X user,
@FootyEthics
, wrote, “Smoking and getting hammered in front of kids and families during a title parade? Absolute lack of class from a so-called ‘hero.’ Leeds deserve better role models.” Another,
@PremierPundit
, added, “This is why clubs need stricter codes of conduct. You’re on a bus representing Leeds United, not at a nightclub. Disappointing.” Some pointed to the player’s influence on younger fans, with
@FamilyFirstFC
stating, “Kids look up to these players. Smoking and boozing in public sets a terrible example.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to fans. Online blogs and football podcasts, such as The Square Ball, speculated about potential disciplinary action from the club, citing Leeds United’s history of maintaining a professional image under managers like Marcelo Bielsa. However, the club has yet to issue an official statement, and no confirmation has been made regarding the player’s identity or the exact nature of the substances involved.
Not all reactions were negative. A significant portion of Leeds fans and some neutral observers defended the player, arguing that the parade was a rare moment of celebration after a grueling season. The context of the event— a bank holiday parade following a hard-fought title win—led some to view the behavior as harmless revelry rather than a scandal. X user @MarchingOnTogether posted, “Let the lad enjoy himself! He’s just won us the bloody title. Smoking a fag and having a few pints doesn’t make him a criminal. #LUFC.” Another,
@YorkshirePride
, echoed, “This is Leeds, not a monastery. Our players are human, not robots. Stop clutching pearls over a bit of fun.”
Supporters also pointed to the cultural context of football celebrations. Open-top bus parades are often synonymous with high spirits, with players historically seen enjoying drinks or cigars, as evidenced by Manchester City’s Jack Grealish during their 2022 Premier League celebrations. A Reddit thread on r/LeedsUnited argued, “If we’re going to crucify our players for having a drink during a parade, we might as well ban fans from pubs too. It’s a party, not a press conference.” Some fans even suggested the outrage was amplified by rival supporters or “keyboard warriors” looking to tarnish Leeds’ moment of glory.
