In the aftermath of a week dominated by the Super League, Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has accused AFTV founder Robbie Lyle of taking pleasure in the club's misfortune.
A discussion that quickly descended into an argument on talkSPORT, Ray Parlour and AFTV's Robbie Lyle rowed over what the well-known fan YouTube channel is really there to accomplish.
"I look at AFTV and say sometimes you're quite an embarrassment to look at," stated Parlour, Lyle initially unclear why talk had shifted to AFTV when he had been drafted in to discuss fan unrest with the club's current owners.
"As an Arsenal fan, I want to win every single game. I think sometimes you look at it and say, "well if they lose, we'll get more hits this week, we'll make more money."'
Understandably, Lyle took exception to the suggestion that he was more interested in Arsenal losing and the appeal of fan unrest.
🤔 𝗥𝗮𝘆: “AFTV want Arsenal to lose to get more hits on YouTube!”
🤬 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗯𝗶𝗲: ”Ray, you’re talking absolute rubbish, you’re so out of touch!”
Ray Parlour & @ItsDonRobbie clash over claims @AFTVMedia want #AFC to lose!
You simply 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 to watch this 🔥 pic.twitter.com/QG0DZfkjgh— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) April 23, 2021
"Ray, with all due respect, you're chatting rubbish," Lyle said. "I want my team to win absolutely every game.
"I know you're very close to the club, and maybe you might find it difficult to speak out on this situation, but I'm saying to you that this is beyond performances on the pitch right now.
"We're talking about an owner who doesn't care. I care about my club. I've supported this club since the 80s. But I don't think these owners are suitable to run this club, simple as that."
Nevertheless, Parlour doubled down on his claim that Lyle welcomed Arsenal misery.
"I think people look at it and they crack up when they see you going mad outside the stadium," the former England international suggested.
"I'm so pleased you're doing really well and it's all great, don't get me wrong. Because it's all about business, it's all about making money."
Tuning in on the radio, former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand weighed in on the debate via his Twitter account.
Challenging Parlour's assertion that the current fan unrest about the Arsenal owners will only be good news for AFTV, Ferdinand suggested that talkSPORT themselves may have done well in the last week.
Just heard @RealRomfordPele & @ItsDonRobbie .... don’t really agree with Ray on this.... ALL media have had more ‘hits’...@btsport @SkySports @talkSPORT included.
Club fan media etc is NEW media - embrace it - it’s here to stay!— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 23, 2021
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