BBC journalist Adam Pope has updated Leeds fans on potential changes to the dates/times of the play-off semi-finals and supporters have reacted to the update on Twitter.
Re play off semi finals. Been made aware that it is not definite that if #lufc finish the season in 3rd that they will play first the following Saturday. Police & safety issues have to be taken into account along with rivalries which could mean the 4th v 5th game plays first.
— Adam Pope (@apopey) May 1, 2019
Pope revealed that he had been made aware that if Leeds finish third in the Championship, that they might not play first on the following Saturday, as per the original plans.
That of course has knock on effects for the 2nd leg which the first tie plays on Tuesday & the second tie on the Wednesday. FL say they will try to finalise details ASAP once the teams are known after Sunday’s conclusion to the regular campaign after speaking to relevant parties
— Adam Pope (@apopey) May 1, 2019
That would also have a knock-on effect with the early match playing the second-leg on Tuesday night and the later Saturday kick-off concluding on Wednesday.
These date changes have annoyed some fans who were about to make arrangements and book accommodation. And some fans have even said it’s an attempt by the EFL to unsettle Leeds ahead of the play-offs.
However, some fans said that they would prefer a Saturday evening kick-off with a Wednesday evening at Elland Road.
One of the possible issues is that West Brom and Aston Villa – bitter local rivals – could finish third and fourth, and police and safety issues might demand that is more suited to an early kick-off. They would then play the Tuesday night and get an extra day of rest ahead of the final.
However, the actual match-ups won’t be known until the final results have played out on Sunday, with Leeds not guaranteed second place and three teams still in the race for sixth. That doesn’t really help the fans at all.
Here are the best reactions from Leeds fans to the fixture confusion:
1 Less days prep for final as will play 5.30 sat/7.45 wed… Of course we'll be the later kick off ??
— mightywhite92????? (@mightywhite83) May 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/esspeelufc/status/1123573295272681477
Why for once can't they just leave the fixtures as they were ?people have commitments so just stick to whats already arranged & printed!!!! If the @efl carry on like they are with the Leeds Fans & players police & safety issues will be the last thing they need to worry about ?
— Margaret? (@Mminimen) May 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/WotzThatSound/status/1123566234421870592
For goodness sake …. can’t arrange my life at the moment – nothing seems straight forward or simple in the life of a @lufc fan ??
— Alexandra Myers (@AlexandraMyers2) May 1, 2019
And no doubt thebvarious leagues will try to work out what works worst for us and best for our opponents.
— Nick Swatton (@nickswatton) May 1, 2019
Looking back a few years it’s never been any other way. I wonder why this time….#corruptorinept
— Nick Walmsley (@NickW1982) May 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/husband_andy/status/1123559120458719232
https://twitter.com/JottenRonny/status/1123553887124971520
What saftey issues if we kick off at 12pm on Saturday. Flights already booked what a load of bollocks.
— Darren (@Darren9_) May 1, 2019
I'm sure they will work it to ensure we have as little advantage or the most disadvantage as possible
— Dan ?? (@lufc001) May 1, 2019
We all know of course that the decision will be to put Leeds at the most possible disadvantage. Corrupt lot that they are
— Douglas Robins (@dougrobins46) May 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/Robbydeux/status/1123556654216306690