Matt Le Tissier stands down from Southampton ambassador role after controversial tweet
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier has stood down from his role as the club’s ambassador following a backlash over a controversial social media post on the war in Ukraine.
The 53-year-old former Saints and England forward on Tuesday shared a conspiracy theory regarding what appear to be intentional killings of civilians in Bucha and other towns before Russian forces withdrew from the outskirts of Kyiv.
Le Tissier wrote “This” and a pointing-down emoji towards a tweet suggesting the media had “lied”, before deleting the post and seeking to clarify his position by saying “the point was about the media manipulation”.
He posted another update on Wednesday morning to make it “very clear” he does “not advocate war in any way shape or form”. He added he did not “advocate anyone taking lives of others and anyone who commits such acts should be dealt with accordingly”.
Guernsey-born Le Tissier, who played 540 times for Southampton and scored 209 goals, then announced he has decided to “step aside” from his position at St Mary’s.
“To all the fans of SFC. I have decided to step aside from my role as an ambassador of SFC. My views are my own and always have been, and it’s important to take this step today to avoid any confusion,” he wrote.
To all the fans of sfc. I have decided to step aside from my role as an ambassador of SFC. My views are my own and always have been, and it’s important to take this step today to avoid any confusion. This does not affect my relationship with and love for
— Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) April 6, 2022
“This does not affect my relationship with and love for my club. And I will always remain a fan and supporter of everything Saints.
Le Tissier offered services to Saints
“I can, however, see that due to recent events it’s important to separate the work I believe in from my relationship with the club I have supported and played for most of my life.
“I will see you all at St Mary’s and will always do anything I can to help the club.”
Le Tissier revealed in October who he had offered to manager Saints at the depths of despair in 2005.
When Harry Redknapp resigned in December 2005, Le Tissier threw his hat into the ring.
“It was never really an ambition of mine to do any kind of managing,” he told the Daily Echo.
“I did offer my services at one point to Southampton, back in 2005 when they were struggling halfway down the Championship.
“We’d been relegated, Harry Redknapp left and that’s when I kind of said: ‘If you’re desperate, I’ll have a go’.”
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