‘We are confident’ – UEFA letter seen by the BBC shares stance on abandoning seasons
Leeds United may be able to complete their bid to win promotion to the Premier League, based on a letter by UEFA that has been seen by the BBC.
The FA have already voided all seasons below the National League North and South while in Belgium this week, the decision was taken to end the season now with Club Brugge being handed the title.
Leeds fans have been concerned that Marcelo Bielsa’s men will have their bid to win promotion declared null and void with them currently sat top of the Championship, seven points clear of third and with just nine games to play.
However this latest news from UEFA suggests that Europe’s top governing body wants to find a way to complete the season so that winners, losers, promotions and relegations can all be decided on the pitch.
“Any decision of abandoning domestic competitions is, at this stage, premature and not justified,” said the letter, as quoted by BBC journalist Simon Stone.
“Is of paramount importance that even a disruptive evident like this epidemic does not prevent competitions being decided on the field, in accordance with their rules + all sporting titles are awarded on basis of results. This is what we must ensure until last possibility exists.
“We are confident that football can restart in the months to come.” But, “since participation in UEFA club competitions is determined by sporting result achieved at end of full domestic competition, a premature termination would cast doubts about the fulfilment of such condition.”
This is good news for Leeds fans but it does mean that the previously-mentioned plan of having a 22-team Premier League could be off the table.
If that plan was to take place, Leeds and West Brom would have been handed automatic promotion and no teams from the current top-flight would be relegated.
But UEFA are suggesting here that all competitions should be completed and they are not too happy with the Belgian Jupiler League from ending now with all results standing.
In other Leeds United news, Angus Kinnear has sent a warning to the FA.