Ex-Liverpool star Ryan Babel asks Elon Musk for legal help over Man Utd outburst

23 August 2023 , 07:45

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Ryan Babel played 146 times for Liverpool after arriving from Ajax (Image: PA)

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has pleaded with Elon Musk to help him reclaim his £10,000 FA fine from 12 years ago.

The infamous businessman has caused quite a stir since taking over Twitter, which he's since renamed 'X', last April. And he's now vowed to fund the legal bills of any previous users who had got themselves into hot water with employers for material shared on the social media platform.

"If you were unfairly treated by your employer due to posting or liking something on this platform, we will fund your legal bill," wrote the South African born celeb on Tuesday. "No limit. Please let us know."

The post was of particular interest to journeyman Babel, who is currently plying his trade at Turkish side Eyupspor. His infamous Twitter rant 12 years ago went down in folklore with fans of the Reds, but landed the former Dutch international in hot water in the meantime.

In what was the first game back in charge for Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup. But the game was not without controversy, with Ryan Giggs scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot just two minutes in, before Steven Gerrard was red carded for a lunge on Michael Carrick later in the first half.

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Babel responded to the defeat with a less than subtle tweet, posting a doctored image of match referee Howard Webb wearing a Manchester United kit. He added the caption: "And they call him one of the best referees? That's a joke. SMH."

He was duly charged by the FA and fined £10,000, with the authority also reminding player of their responsibilities on social media. And Babel, 36, himself apologised, citing "an emotional reaction after losing an important game."

Ryan Babel posted this doctored image of Howard Webb in a Manchester United kit (Twitter - RyanBabel)

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But now Babel, who played 146 times for Liverpool in his four-season spell, is clearly keen to be reimbursed for his punishment. He responded to Musk's vow by sharing his tweet, along with the archived FA headline and joked: "You guys think I could reclaim my Howard Webb fine of £10k back from @elonmusk? Just wondering."

Babel has been long renowned for his humour on social media. On deadline day in August 2010, it was wrongly reported that the player was travelling by helicopter between Liverpool and a London location amid links to a move to Spurs and West Ham.

The term 'Babelcopter' soon became used for players unsure of their next club on deadline day, with Babel himself regularly using the hashtag #BabelCopter. In 2018/19, he returned to the Premier League for a loan spell with Fulham, but couldn't help save them from relegation.

Fraser Watson