OPINION
BBC journalist Adam Pope said that the £200,000 fine Leeds have been hit with, including costs, ‘for not breaking a rule” is “very hefty”. He added that he thought that Bielsa was just doing his job and not doing anything illegal.
He added the punishment was “harsh” and that it shouldn’t be viewed “simply as being less punitive than a points deduction”.
200k is a very hefty fine to pay including costs for not breaking a rule. Bielsa was to me fulfilling his professional duties as a head coach without doing anything illegal. This sanction is harsh & should not be viewed simply as being less punitive than a points deduction. #lufc
— Adam Pope (@apopey) February 18, 2019
When you compare it with the £22,000 fine FIFA gave to Russia for racist chants in their game against France, you can see where Pope is coming from. It could also be argued that Leeds had suffered enough with the EFL investigation going on for so long and various allegations, some untrue, being thrown around by rival clubs and their managers.
At the very least, Bielsa’s normal routine was disrupted as he had to take an extensive meeting explaining his actions.
We weren’t expecting so harsh a punishment. We thought a suspended fine, judged on future conduct from Leeds, would have been sufficient, along with possibly a rule change that makes it clear that what Leeds did is not acceptable.
It’s not necessarily a defence to say that what you did isn’t covered by the rulebook. There are many outlandish things that clubs could do that would merit punishment. But, in an age where cheating is rife on the pitch – Dwight Gayle is the latest to have won a point for his club after blatant cheating – this seems a ridiculously tough punishment.
Obviously, a points deduction would have been far worse but we believe that Leeds would have contested that, opening a potential can of worms that the EFL would rather remain tightly closed.
This seems to be the compromise solution that is seen to be tough on Leeds, which will appease the rival clubs, without angering Leeds too much.
Pope thinks it’s too harsh too and Leeds fans flocked onto Twitter to react to his verdict. One fan said that Bristol City owner Steve Lansdown should also be charged for trying to take advantage of the situation to get Leeds a points deduction.
Another said it was a “bizarre” ruling as it restricted future action to 72 hours before a game, meaning you could do what Leeds did the other four days of the week.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans, including one from a fan who called the punishment “jaw dropping”:
I still think a suspended fine was the most logical outcome in these circumstances Popey. Acknowledges that no rules broken but against the spirit. Then bring a rule in and if it's broken at a later date impose the fine. #lufc
— Mark Philmore (@IdlePastimes) February 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/BarneyStuart21/status/1097602611245649921
Meanwhile they do nowt about dodgy owners, abysmal officials, diving, FFP, last minute match re-scheduling… need I go on?
— JB LUFC (@QuizFooty) February 18, 2019
Seems we've basically just taken something on the chin to close it down. I doubt any of the LUFC boardroom agrees with it. I think Steve Lansdown should be charged under the same rule also. He was clearly and publicly trying to take advantage with bad faith.
— PJH LUFC (@pistol1603) February 18, 2019
unjust as you'd expect seeing it's Leeds.But maybe accepting the fine without appeal was deemed a better alternative than a drawn out legal challenge which could
affect our run in to the end of the season.— Boiled Frog ??????????? LUFC (@2takeyourtime) February 18, 2019
Would such a fine have been imposed on a club with a smaller revenue, potentially putting them into financial difficulties… I think not!
— J T (@JordanTandT) February 18, 2019
What makes this all the more bizarre is that as a result of all this they’re going to bring in a rule that says clubs can do exactly what Leeds did, 4 days a week.
— Neil Royce (@royceylufc) February 18, 2019
Frank Lampard should face the same charge as the club because what he did was worse. Lying and slander is worse than a guy watching standing on a public footpath watching a training session.
— Voxy (@ZodiacDistant) February 18, 2019
Jaw dropping! Only justification is that it is Leeds. Never a wasted opportunity to stick the boot in. Let’s stick it up ‘em! Each and every one of them!!
— Ivan Taggart (@IvanTaggart) February 18, 2019