West Ham co-owner forced to apologise for 'liking' tweet about Flack
West Ham co-owner David Gold apologises for ‘liking’ a fan’s tweet which called tragic TV presenter Caroline Flack ‘weak’, just days after she took her own life
- David Gold, co-owner of West Ham, was criticised after ‘liking’ a tweet from a fan which called TV presenter Caroline Flack ‘weak’, days after she took her own life
- The 83-year-old has apologised and promised to make a donation to charity
- Gold said in his apology he ‘hastily pressed ‘like’ and very much regret doing so’
West Ham co-owner David Gold has apologised for ‘liking’ a tweet which appeared to call Caroline Flack ‘weak’ and has promised to make a donation to a mental health charity.
The prominent television presenter took her own life at her London flat on Saturday while the friend who was staying with her ‘popped out to the shops’.
Gold, who has previously been criticised for his conduct on social media, said that he ‘liked’ the tweet calling the presenter ‘weak’ hastily and that he ‘regrets’ his decision to do so.
West Ham co-owner David Gold has been criticised for liking an insensitive tweet about television presenter Caroline Flack, which called her ‘weak’, days after she took her own life
Flack (pictured at The Beauty Awards in November) was found dead at her flat on Saturday
The tweet in question referenced Flack as ‘weak’ and was liked (right) by the West Ham owner
Flack, the star who most recently fronted ITV2’s successful dating show Love Island, was found dead at her London flat on Saturday after taking her own life.
Friends and colleagues of the 40-year-old have since spoken out about the treatment of Flack in the media and on social platforms.
On Monday night, Gold liked a rare positive tweet about West Ham’s current position which also referenced the death of television presenter Flack.
Flack’s friends and family have been critical of the treatment aimed at her across social media
‘I think West Ham are okay, we have a new big stadium, a board that support to the best of their ability (limited) and players who need some kinda (sic) support.
‘I get abused every other day for my opinions. If I was Caroline (weak) I’d of topped myself!…,’ was tweeted by user @MikespaceChat.
Gold later removed his ‘like’ from the message and issued a short response through the club on Tuesday morning.
‘I apologise unreservedly for liking a tweet last night that I shouldn’t have,’ he said.
‘It was never my intention to condone the sentiment expressed in the second half of it. I hastily pressed ‘like’ and very much regret doing so. I will be making a donation to Heads Together to recognise their important work.’
Prior to his apology, the West Ham United Independent Supporters Association had criticised the conduct of their co-owner.
‘This (again) is not OK at all David Gold,’ the group wrote on Twitter. ‘You bring shame, ridicule and embarrassment on West Ham but worst of all, you display a callous lack of understanding around mental health issues.
Gold came under fire recently when he seemed to ‘like’ a tweet that called some fans ‘morons’
Gold said he ‘hastily’ liked the tweet and said he will donate to charity as part of his apology
‘You owe everyone an apology. Look up @heads_together #UnitedWeStand #WHUnitedforChange.’
Gold has history of mistakes on social media having been seen to be ‘liking’ tweets that referred to critical West Ham fans as ‘morons’ and ‘neanderthals’.
One of the tweets that emerged on transfer deadline day after the late signing of Jarrod Bowen from Hull. It read: ‘Well done to the three Davids. Funny how the moron contingent have gone quiet tonight as yet again in a highly competitive market the board have spent big.’
The 83-year-old, alongside long-term business partner David Sullivan, has come under increasing scrutiny from supporters for the way the Premier League club are being run.
The Hammers sit 18th in the table ahead of Wednesday night’s rescheduled clash with reigning champions Manchester City.
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