Leeds United mainstay Mateusz Klich has come out in support of the English Football League potentially having to order all remaining fixtures to be played behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The EFL, along with the FA and Premier League, agreed to suspend all remaining matches until, at least, April 30 as a result of the developing situation, but it remains to be seen if the final nine games of the second-tier term will take place.
The FA have already declared that all football in England below the three Non-League divisions will stop immediately, a decision that has been met with widespread backlash, and null and voiding the professional game is also an option.
Reports have already stated that several leading Championship sides would be prepared to take legal action if the top-flight is declared null and void and it means missing out on promotion.
United are currently in the box seat to go up were the season to finish now and the results stand, with Marcelo Bielsa’s men one point clear of West Bromwich Albion and seven clear of the Play-Off places. Klich, though, would urge the EFL to ensure all remaining games are played, even if it means supporters cannot be in the ground.
“If we could go up and not celebrate with the fans that would be very painful, but on the other hand, everybody would enjoy next season,” the Poland international said, via quotes by Leeds Live.
“If it has to happen then we have nothing to say about it, but I would rather finish the games with the fans in the stadium and hopefully we could celebrate with them, as well. But there’s still nine games to go, so we don’t want to make the mistake of last season [and assume it’s done].”
Klich does not consider himself to have all the answers as to how the EFL will be able to ensure matches go ahead, with clubs needing medical staff on hand at a time when the NHS needs them the most.
“We have to go along because we are football players, we are not scientists and we are not doctors,” Klich added. “So we have no idea how it’s going to work, but there are loads of different opinions about it.
“I can guarantee we, West Brom and Liverpool want to finish the season as soon as possible, so let’s hope we’re going to play those games.”
Klich has been a mainstay of Bielsa’s plans this term having started all of our 37 Championship fixtures played to date, and would very well be deserving of a title-winners medal for his efforts which have included four goals and four assists.
In other Leeds United news, a 10-time title winner has urged the Football Association against a potential decision in how the season could finish.