Saido Berahino courts controversy by liking tweet suggesting West Bromwich Albion chairman keeps him 'hostage'

Baggies striker interacts with social media users criticising himself and the football club at large

Saido Berhaino on the bench for West Bromwich Albion (Getty)

West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino courted scrutiny this week by ‘liking’ a host of tweets criticising both himself and the football club.

The 22-year-old has scored three goals in ten Premier League appearances this season after attempting unsuccessfully to produce a move away from the Hawthorns in the summer amid fierce interest from Tottenham Hotspur.

Jeremy Peace, the West Brom chairman, rejected two late bids from Spurs prompting Berahino’s claim, which he has since backtracked on, that he would never play for them again.


 Saido Berahino returned to a mixed reception at the Hawthorns earlier in the season
 (Getty Images)

The England under-21s striker engages with his 77,000 followers mainly by ‘liking’ their posts about him, some of which are not necessarily sent to him via his verified Twitter handle.

Often more likely to react to tweets criticising his attitude and off-field conduct, many of which include expletives, one user posted: “I don't mind him, just doesn't suit Pulisball.”

Another added: “I take it your leaving in January? Have fun rotting on the Spurs bench as well.”

But it was a message sent on Tuesday morning, inevitably ‘liked’ by the divisive youngster, which caused a stir on social media.

“Saido, like this tweet if Jeremy Peace is *literally* keeping you and/or your family hostage in his basement,” it read.

Berahino was named as the England under-21s Player of the Year for 2014 and has scored on ten occasions, in just 11 appearances, for Gareth Southgate’s side.

In April 2015, the former Peterborough United loanee set up his own charity foundation to help WaterAid improve the lives of disadvantaged people in the United Kingdom and abroad.