Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has confirmed that the club want to finish the season on the pitch, even though they are likely to be promoted if the campaign was halted.
The EFL revealed yesterday that they have recommended points per game is used to decide the season if it can’t be played out, which means Leeds would go up as champions as things stand. And, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men holding a seven-point lead over Fulham, they will fancy their chances of going up if the season does go ahead.
Even though the EFL’s proposal requires 51% of the Championship clubs to agree, it should be stated the aim is to still play the remaining nine games, this is just planning for if that’s not possible.
Despite the obvious benefit to Leeds of that happening, writing in his regular Yorkshire Evening Post column, Kinnear insisted that all connected with the Championship leaders are determined to achieve promotion on the pitch.
Will Leeds United be playing in the Premier League next season?
Yes
No
“If Leeds United wanted to be opportunist we could have seized on this ‘point per game’ commitment to push for an early curtailment in concert with some already very vocal self-interests.
“However, our intention has always been to do all we can to complete this season where we started it – on the pitch. Marcelo and the team are confident that they can continue their rich vein of form into the last nine games and believe that they have earned the right to have the chance to celebrate reaching their goal at Elland Road even though our supporters will only be there in spirit.”
Essentially this update has completely removed the threat of null and void, although there could still be further issues down the line. That’s after Norwich City director of football Stuart Webber revealed they wouldn’t happy to be replaced in the Premier League by a side that hadn’t played a full Championship season. However, all in the game will hope it doesn’t come to that as the top-flight have also made it clear they want to play the final fixtures.