'It's official', 'Unbelievable' – These Leeds fans react to official club Twitter update
Leeds United hit upon a unique way of keeping their fans entertained after football was suspended because of the Coronavirus.
Leeds were due to play Cardiff on Sunday and with that game postponed, Leeds played the match out on FIFA 2020.
Leeds won 3-1 and after the game the club posted a tweet that showed how many fans had watched the game.
Incredibly, 7,394 watched it live and 158,000 watched it on demand.
Leeds ended the tweet with “Our fans > Your fans” and the supporters were absolutely loving it.
😍 7,394 watching live
👏 158,000 on demand so far
🤣 Our fans > Your fans https://t.co/tl3w3g525Z pic.twitter.com/lRJUpI1ubR— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 15, 2020
If you missed the game you can still catch the highlights on the official Leeds Twitter page.
Patrick Bamford got a brace and Jack Harrison the third as Leeds took another step towards promotion – in the virtual world at least.
Back in the real world, fans paid tribute to the game and to the fanbase on Twitter.
And, while it was no more than a bit of fun, it does throw up an interesting possibility.
Big data means that accurate predictions can be made in the sporting world. FIFA 2020 might not be the most accurate way to play out the season, but sites like FiveThirtyEight crunch numbers all the time and show how the season would end if the rest of the fixtures played out.
If the season can’t be completed, isn’t this a decent solution? And not just because Leeds would be promoted as champions.
Meanwhile, after the success of the FIFA experiment, we can see Leeds doing this again for Wednesday night’s game against Fulham.
Here’s how the last game went down with Leeds fans…
It’s official.
More people watch Leeds United on FIFA than watch Sheffield Wednesday in real life— Stephen Priestley (@djpugsleeds) March 15, 2020
8k watching FIFA🤣 Unbelievable numbers.
We’re Leeds and we’re proud of it💙💛💙💛
— Dale Nicholson (@DaleNic33501363) March 15, 2020
I clocked it at over 50,000 at the end… Leeds always bring more… #lufc pic.twitter.com/ouLimBfROP
— Chris Murgatroyd (@chrismurg) March 15, 2020
Could you do the rest of the season😏
— kierannn (@kierannn7) March 15, 2020
Even have loads of Leeds fans watch a fifa 20 game love this club and fan base #LUFC #mot #FIFA20 pic.twitter.com/XX2vFizUL4
— Reece mumby (@reece_mumby) March 15, 2020
Good win! Now the long journey back to Leeds 💙💛
— AND its this Karen! 💙💛👀👀 (@karen_alaw) March 15, 2020
My first away game. Atmosphere was incredible. 💛💙#ALAW #MOT
— Jason Guy (@jaycguy) March 15, 2020
— HP_Proud to be LEEDS UNITED💙💛🇲🇰 (@LUFCalwaysEA10) March 15, 2020
@mrdanwalker Dan this is the solution to the delay in football. Finish the season on FIFA; Leeds played today….quality
— Feltman (@Feltman18839388) March 15, 2020
@EFL this counts right? 🤗
— DemonswithRyu 💣 💙🤍💛🇪🇺🇬🇧 (@DemonswithR) March 16, 2020
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay details what Bielsa & Leeds players are doing, shares current health status of squad