Marcelo Bielsa orders Leeds players to allow Aston Villa to equalise in dramatic scenes at Elland Road

Marcelo Bielsa’s desire to uphold the sporting values of English football was at the heart of the Leeds United manager’s decision to let Aston Villa equalise in the sides’ feisty draw on Sunday.

Chaos had broken out after Mateusz Klich put the ball in the net for Leeds after Villa had stopped with their striker Jonathan Kodjia down injured in the centre circle.

Home substitute Tyler Roberts had the chance to put the ball out but instead played it into space and Klich, urged on by his supporters, took advantage and scored.

On the touchline there were furious discussions and gesturing and finger-pointing in equal measure on both sides with Bielsa and Villa assistant and former England captain John Terry at the heart of it.

When the game restarted five minutes later, Villa substitute Albert Adomah was allowed to run through and score after Bielsa, the 63-year-old Argentine coach, had been seen shouting “Give them a goal” on the touchline. “What happened, happened, and we behaved as we behaved,” he said. “English football is known around the world for its noble features.”

More information: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/04/28/marcelo-bielsa-orders-leeds-players-allow-aston-villa-equalise/

29.04.2019