Leeds United remain “in the dark” about the outcome of the EFL board’s ‘Spygate’ talks but “wouldn’t be happy” if the governing body release a statement today (Friday), according to Phil Hay.
The Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent delivered a series of lunchtime updates on his personal Twitter account about the spy storm after being quizzed by United followers on social media.
Hay explained the plan had been for the EFL board to issue a statement after a second round of talks today but Leeds don’t want a statement 24 hours ahead of tomorrow’s showdown against Middlesbrough.
the plan last night was for the EFL board to reconvene this morning and then issue a statement. But Leeds wouldn’t be happy with it coming 24 hours before a big game at Boro, so it might be that it holds until Monday.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 8, 2019
The journalist added that Leeds are unaware of what the outcome will be, but are expecting some kind of charge and don’t want this in the public domain until the start of next week.
if the EFL takes no action then it would make no difference to Leeds when the statement drops. But if the club are to be charged/punished, they want it to hold until Monday. Leeds are in the dark about what the outcome will be.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 8, 2019
no not at all. In any case if Leeds are charged, the matter would have to go before an independent panel to rule on it.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) February 8, 2019
OPINION
Quite why Leeds want a U-turn from the EFL board in terms of the timing of the statement is hard to fathom. What difference exactly does it make if the outcome is delayed until Monday? Surely, the Leeds hierarchy will be aware of it well before the statement outcome (*insert joke here about the club’s having spies at the board meeting*) in any case, and, how on earth will it affect preparations for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Middlesbrough? Leeds are set to host Swansea at Elland Road next Wednesday. Would announcing the outcome of the charge or punishment on Monday not have the same effect for the next home match, even if the fixture is scheduled for 48 hours afterwards? Nevertheless, it should not be up to Leeds when the statement is released. It must fall to the EFL board, an independent body, to make its announcements when it sees fit, and not pander to the whims of individual clubs.