David Woods

Mon 16 March 2020 15:11, UK

Leeds United chief Angus Kinnear has given an interview to Sky Sports News (Monday, Sky Sports News, 2.30pm) in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

He said that while the club’s first priority is the health of the public, finishing the Championship season is “vital”.

“Like all businesses our first priority is the safety and welfare of our staff,” Kinnear said.

“So, this morning we looked at the vulnerable groups and we’ve already sent those people home.

“The training ground is effectively sealed off for all but first-team activity. The purpose is the welfare of staff and welfare of the wider Leeds community.”

Asked how vital it was for Leeds that this season finishes Kinnear said, “From our perspective, it’s vital that the season is finished. It is difficult to speculate on timelines and now is the time for patience and cool heads. I think for the integrity of the football pyramid and the financial security of the clubs, finishing the league is the right thing to do.”

Kinnear was asked if he would countenance playing behind closed doors.

“If it’s a choice between not finishing the league and playing behind closed doors we’d choose closed doors,” he said.

However, he added that by far the preferred option would be to play in front of fans. Closing the doors to fans would be the worst-case scenario but preferable to voiding the league.

As Sky said, Leeds are one of the most affected teams in the country.

They’re currently top of the Championship and, according to bookies, an almost lock to finish in the top two this season.

They’re heavy favourites to win the title but fans won’t care about that so much. It’s all about promotion.

Fabs are obviously desperate to see their club get promoted but we’re sure if it came down to a straight choice of finishing the season behind closed doors or not at all, they would choose the former.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay details what Bielsa & Leeds players are doing, shares current health status of squad