Loads of Leeds United fans have been reacting on social media after Chief Executive Angus Kinnear vocalised his desires to see the Championship season recommence when possible.
The EFL announced last week that the remainder of the season would be on hold until such a time that it is safe for fans, players and staff to attend mass gatherings again, with the worsening situation of the coronavirus outbreak pushing the government toward issuing a total clampdown in the UK.
The situation has cast major doubt over how the 2019/20 football season will finish in each division of English football, with the potential for the entire campaign to be declared null and void, continued at a later stage or declared final based on the current standings.
If the season were declared now, we would be due to earn promotion into the Premier League with Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites currently one-point clear of West Bromwich Albion, who hold a six-point advantage over the Play-Off places.
Kinnear is not keen to see the season called now, even if it would mean that we secure promotion, and has called for the EFL and FA to allow the campaign to be played out to its fullest once it is safe to do so.
“Our first priority, like most businesses, is the health and well-being of our staff,” Kinnear told LUTV. “We met again this morning [Monday] to look at what we need to do to keep our players, staff and the broader Leeds United family safe.
How should the EFL deal with coronavirus?
Continue the season when it is safe
Declare the season on current table
Declare the season null and void
“From what we’ve heard over the past few days, there is a groundswell of opinion that the right thing to do is complete the leagues. At the moment, it is a time for cool heads and patience and I don’t think we need to jump to any immediate solutions.
“I think the broad principle is that you maintain the integrity of the competitions and when the time comes and it is safe to do so, you finish the leagues. I think everybody is starting to feel this is the right thing to do and it is certainly our opinion, we think it maintains the integrity of the Football League pyramid and the competitions.”
Here are some of the comments shared as fans reacted to Kinnear’s comments…
Are #LUFC paying the staff laid off would be a great question to be answered? https://t.co/2sZcm5jhKZ
— Leeds Fan in Chicago (@ChicagoWhite) March 16, 2020
What ever he says I distrust
— mary mary quite contrary 🤫 (@Mazzaleeds) March 16, 2020
It’s a farce if the league isn’t completed . As a Leeds fan I don’t want to go up by default and every other team needs a chance to get promoted or stave off relegation. We need to finish the season whenever and worry about next season later
— peter ridding (@RiddingP) March 16, 2020
Great interview.- agree with every word Angus said.
Obviously deal with the health issues now but when we return to football we have to finish the season off. Anything else destroys the integrity of the competition.
— Arnie B (@arnie_booth) March 16, 2020
Well said Angus. 100% with you on this. https://t.co/w1vGK6Q47k
— Nigel Briggs (@lawlecturer) March 16, 2020
He’s right though! There’s no way the EFL, FA or any other party are gunna win again at the fans by voiding a full season. Would be detrimental to everyone
— Ashley Griffith (@AshGriff__) March 16, 2020
Spot on that.
— Barney V2 (@barney___21) March 16, 2020
Very refreshing to hear that, he’s bang on with everything he said.
— BecchioWellPlaced (@RyanLUFC91) March 16, 2020
Suspend the euros! Let’s finish this season #mot #alaw #lufc https://t.co/efr3xwUqaJ
— Seb Marsden (@seb_marsden) March 16, 2020
In other Leeds United news, the club have reportedly informed a European side of our intent to purchase one of their young talents.