Social media backlash as Amartey 'disrespects' Chelsea pennant after FA Cup win

Black Stars and Leicester City player Daniel Amartey was an unused substitute when his club outfoxed Chelsea to win the English FA Cup on Saturday at the Wembley stadium.

One of his post-game celebratory acts as captured in his club's dressing room has generated a Twitter debate accusing him of disrespect to the opposing club.

Amartey was captured in a social media video that trended yesterday, displaying momentarily and flipping a Chelsea pennant to the floor.

The action tagged "disrespectful" was reported by several football portals, generating diverse reactions from those that saw it as a petty swipe, to others who saw the fun side of it whiles for the majority, it was a sign of outright disrespect - most going as far as demanding an apology.

The pennant Amartey is accused of disrespecting was exchanged during the pre-match practices between captains of the two sides.

Neither Amartey nor his club has commented on the issue as yet.

Brendan Rodgers's side had four African players, two of whom played crucial roles in securing the victory.

Nigerian duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi were part of the starting line-up whiles Amartey and Senegalese Nampalys Mendy started from the bench.

Chlesea equalized through Ben Chiwell but a Video Assistant Referee, VAR, check ruled out the strike as an offside.

It Leicester's first final appearnace since 1968 with the Foxes holding the record of most appearances in a final without winning the trophy till yesterday.

The loss meant that Chelsea kissed goodbye to their dreams of a trophy double this season - with the FA Cup lost, Thomas Tuchel's side have the Champions League final to fight for as they come against Manchester City later this month.

20,000 fans were allowed into the Wembley Stadium for the fixture, the biggest crowd since COVID-19 lockdown.

Below are some tweets around the issue:

Either Amartey or Leicester should be releasing a statement on his behalf to apologize. Reactions so far not favourable.

— Juliet Bawuah (@julietbawuah) May 15, 2021

You need to fine Daniel Amartey for the disrespect he showed to our badge, just imagine the scenes if the roles were reversed

— Jeet (@jeetm99) May 16, 2021

What Amartey did was very wrong. So much disrespect. So we will be going through this shit every year?

— GodSpeed ⚡ (@Solomon05573) May 16, 2021

Daniel Amartey might never play for Chelsea in his life for what he did. It’s gross disrespect to Chelsea and he should apologize for that tbh

What he did is very very wrong

— KELEWELE JOINT ???? (@ANKAMAGYIMI__) May 15, 2021

I bet his career is equally bigger, all I knw is Amartey is not 1 of the big guns yet as far as EPL is related. See w@ happened to Hazard in Spain for laughn with "WITH" old pals. Respekt is reciprocal in Europe & they r ????.We see humor they see disrespect which is unacceptable

— CurtisdePlanB (@TetterfioCurtis) May 16, 2021

???????????? so Amartey throwing a little flag has you shouting disrespect! Wasn’t your clubs one of the scum that wanted to for the ESL? That’s disrespect right there! You ought to pipe down and realise that you and those other 5 clubs are the disrespectful ones!

— Jon webster (@johnnywebster72) May 16, 2021

Disrespect of the badge regardless of it’s a joke or not is disrespect of the highest order. You don’t do what Amartey did especially at professional club level. Those are meant as a symbol of sportsmanship and he pretty much spat in all our faces when he did that.

— auggie. (@King_Africa_) May 15, 2021