A group of Leeds United supporters have been discussing a post on Twitter, which claimed that the Yorkshire-based club agreed on a wage deferral before anybody else, the players started training at home before anybody else and ordered a testing machine before a league-wide programme was launched, resulting in it being clear that the Whites have been ‘one step ahead’ of their peers.
At the time of the Championship’s suspension, Marcelo Bielsa’s side sat top of the division and were closing in on promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since they were relegated at the end of the 2003/04 season.
Here is how some of the Elland Road faithful have responded to the post.
Convinced we’re better run than the government
— Dan?(on loan at Dortmund) (@DanPaton5) May 19, 2020
That testing machine is to be used for players families. Top top club. ????
— Micheal O’Brien (@onelobemagee) May 19, 2020
One Step Beyond
— Simon Johnson (@sjrbsimon) May 19, 2020
I think the technical terminology is that we are ahead of the curve. Very similar to being top of the league.
— Gary McVeigh-Kaye (@CheKaye) May 19, 2020
Are you proud of the way Leeds United have conducted themselves during this crisis?
Yes
No
I reckon the EFL will deduct 5 points for each of those infringements. Way too organised ?
— Tim Chambers (@timchambers82) May 19, 2020
And the fans tell the club to keep refunds for season tickets/ tickets … truly MARCHING ON TOGETHER ??
— rob… 59 (@robdog2) May 20, 2020
What do we think?
It’s clear from the above responses that these supporters are proud of the way their club have conducted themselves in the fight against the global pandemic.
While some fans jokingly fear that the authorities may be inclined to punish Leeds for how they have reacted to the crisis (which appears to be a running gag among the fanbase), supporters certainly have plenty to be proud of at present.
However, according to BBC Sport, Birmingham City players were the first club in the Championship to agree to a wage deferral. That said, although the tweet isn’t entirely accurate, that takes nothing away from Leeds’ efforts to fight off the issues raised by the pandemic.