LONDON • Marcelo Bielsa's sportsman-like decision to allow opponents Aston Villa to score unopposed was "a remarkable gesture" given that it ended Leeds' faint hopes of earning automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Sunday's 1-1 draw at Elland Road meant that second-placed Sheffield United joined leaders Norwich City in regaining their top-flight status, consigning the third-placed home team to the lottery of the English Championship play-offs.
Leeds needed a victory to stay mathematically in the hunt - in reality, the Blades were all but promoted the previous day as a win for the hosts would have still left them three points behind with a hugely inferior goal difference - but their fans still held out hope for an unlikely miracle.
Former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was left astounded but full of praise for Leeds manager Bielsa's instructions to his players to allow the visitors to equalise unchallenged.
His team had opened the scoring through midfielder Mateusz Klich in controversial circumstances as Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia lay stricken on the pitch.
That goal sparked a series of on-pitch melees, one of which resulted in Villa's Anwar Al Ghazi being sent off.
Bielsa was then seen to order his players to return the favour, instructing them to allow Villa to net unopposed. The Villans duly did, through winger Albert Adomah .
While Wenger disagreed with the protests, insisting that "only the referee can stop the game" and Dean Smith's players should not have expected Leeds to kick the ball out of play when Kodjia was down injured, he admitted it was praiseworthy.
The Frenchman told beIN Sports: "It is a kind of fair play that is usually on the football pitch. Only the ref can stop the game, but it is remarkable from Bielsa.
"They (Leeds) are playing to come up to the Premier League and there is something at stake... the whole world has to watch that.
"I would like to say, 'Thank you' to Marcelo Bielsa."
Villa coach Smith, who had former Chelsea captain John Terry aiding him on the touchline as assistant manager, agreed with Wenger. He hailed the decision as "sportsmanship prevailing in the end" before expressing his "full respect" for the Argentinian's ethical principles.
REUTERS
Juventus beat Fiorentina 2-1 to win the title. (Source: AP) Juventus overcame their European blues when they fought back to beat Fiorentina 2-1 at home on Saturday and claim the Serie A title for a remarkable eighth season in a row.
Juventus clinch eighth Serie A title in a row - gulfnews.com
LONDON (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri warned his Chelsea stars to improve their mentality after Willian's sublime strike sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win over struggling Newcastle on Saturday (Jan 12).. Read
Willian gem sinks Newcastle as Chelsea cement fourth place
By Eric Knecht. DOHA (Reuters) - FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that a majority of national soccer federations were in favor of expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams.
Football: Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to
Qatar hammer hosts UAE before hostile crowd. Almoez Ali curling the ball into the bottom corner for Qatar's second goal in their Asian Cup semi-final against the United Arab Emirates at the
Latest ASIAN CUP | The Straits Times
The Merlion Cup returns for an eighth edition this June in a new format after a 10-year hiatus. First introduced in 1982, the invitational tournament was an annual affair until 1986 and saw participation from teams hailing from 18 countries including Australia, Iraq, China and Chile in past editions.
Merlion Cup returns after 10 years - au.sports.yahoo.com
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold. By AFP: Monday, April 8th 2019 at 08:02 GMT +3 | Football The race for Champions League football next season remains tight with just Atalanta
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold - Khaleej Times
Ireland had an own goal by Joseph Chipolina and an injury-time header by substitute Robbie Brady to thank for a 2-0 win over Gibraltar in their Euro 2020 Group D qualifier on Monday.
Own goal helps Ireland edge Gibraltar 2-0 - Football
Are there direct trains from Derby to London St Pancras International? Yes, it is possible to travel from Derby to London St Pancras International without having to change trains. Use our journey planner above to get direct train times from Derby to London St Pancras International.
London To Derby
AD
Aguero inches Man City closer to title. Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley
Aguero inches Man City closer to title - 24matins.uk
Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of his career. The light aircraft carrying the Argentine disappeared over the English Channel a week ago as the 28-year-old flew to Cardiff from
Soccer: Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of
EU trio tries to quicken drive to more integrated capital markets increased the importance of the capital markets union and that making a success of the project as the EU27 would improve
Marrow success spurs drive to help others - Portland Press Herald
(Reuters) - Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg scored the goal as Southampton withstood a second-half onslaught from Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a vital 1-0 Premier League victory on Saturday. The win put
Brighton 0-1 Southampton: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg strike seals
Soccer: Hojbjerg strike gives Southampton 1-0 win at Brighton. 2 Min Read. Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Southampton - The American Express Community Stadium
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton - Football Match
Football: China strips South Korea of Panda Cup for 'indecent' celebrations despite team's apology SHANGHAI (AFP) - South Korea's victorious under-18 team were stripped of the Panda Cup on Thursday (May 30), after they infuriated hosts China with their celebrations.
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
0 comments:
Post a Comment