MOT View: Leeds fans should be buoyed by latest EFL statement but something isn’t quite right
Leeds United fans have been waiting anxiously for updates on what is going to happen with their club’s bid to win promotion to the Premier League.
It has been almost 16 years since Leeds last played in the top-flight and now, with the club seven points clear of third with nine matches to play, they are the closest they have ever been to a return.
However the coronavirus pandemic has brought their promotion campaign to a halt with Leeds not playing a match in well over a month since they beat Huddersfield 2-0 at Elland Road.
The EFL have been trying to keep fans updated on when football is likely to return and how they are going about making decisions but most of their statements have been absolute rubbish – copy-and-paste jobs of previous statements.
On Saturday, the EFL released another statement.
Although there isn’t too much new information, they re-iterate their desire to complete the season, which should delight Leeds fans as the Dutch authorities decided to scrap the Eredivisie season this week.
There’ll be no 2019/20 champion, no relegation and no promotion from the second-tier of Dutch football, sparking some concern among Leeds fans that the same would happen in England.
Fortunately, the EFL and Premier League haven’t taken those steps yet and remain intent on finishing the season.
That is a relief but one part of the EFL’s statement doesn’t sit right with us.
They say that “before any return to football can take place, suitable testing arrangements for participants must be in place and this is core to our current planning, as is ensuring there is absolutely no negative impact on the country’s front-line workers, the Emergency services, League and Club staff members.”
Understandably, we want as many people as possible in the country to be tested for coronavirus as widespread testing – as seen in other parts of the world – can really help curb the spread of the illness.
However there is no way that they can justify footballers being tested when those tests need to be used for the far greater good of the NHS.
It has taken a long time – way too long – for the government to test NHS workers for the virus while other, more vulnerable, members of the public and those with symptoms need to be tested before footballers do.
If that is the route the EFL want to go down then we can say goodbye to seeing the football season back in June or any time soon.
In other Leeds United news, Vurnon Anita is now playing in Eastern Europe after being released by Leeds last year.