It has become increasingly common to see former Premier League footballers share conspiracy theories about events in society on social media. Ex Newcastle United star Andros Townsend appears to be the latest to do so.
Former England internationals Rickie Lambert and Matt Le Tissier have both made their stances on issues such as COVID-19 clear, with the latter recently arguing with social media AI bot Grok on X.
Former Premier League winger Townsend took to Instagram to post a reel about sunlight. In the video, he questioned why people need sunglasses for “the light from God” but not under artificial light.
Ex Newcastle United star catches attention with Instagram post
It’s fair to say many people on Instagram did not agree with Townsend, with some labelling him “Andros Le Tissier” in the comments.
Others were quick to share their thoughts on the video, with comments such as, “There’s a reason why clubs have PR teams,” while some thanked him sarcastically.
Some users also used the opportunity to ask him about more controversial topics, including: “Thoughts on banning headers, Andros?”
This follows new grassroots football rules for children, where heading has been banned due to concerns over the long-term health effects on players. Research has shown a direct link between football and an increased risk of developing dementia, something previously reported by the BBC.
Townsend made 13 appearances for the Magpies in 2016, scoring four goals before moving to Crystal Palace. After spells with several clubs in England and Turkey, the former England international is now playing in Thailand for Kanchanaburi Power FC.
He has also appeared on the BBC Football Daily podcast discussing current Premier League issues, clips of which he shares on Instagram. Elsewhere on his profile, he has posted videos about his diet, including fasting, as well as taking part in online trends such as eating chicken feet.
Conspiracy theories – a trend?
Lambert previously spoke with The Athletic about his concerns regarding Liverpool becoming a “15-minute city” and his anti-vaccination stance during COVID-19.
More recently, there appears to have been a growing trend of footballers engaging with conspiracy theories online, with Townsend seemingly becoming one of the latest examples.
Ultimately, the reaction highlights the fine line footballers walk when using social media platforms. What may be intended as harmless discussion can quickly become a source of criticism.
It also serves as a reminder that, even after a football career ends, public figures remain under scrutiny — especially when discussing controversial topics online.
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