Leeds sorry to Derby for Bielsa ‘spying’
london — Leeds United have apologised to English secondtier rivals Derby County after manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a spy to the Rams’ training ground ahead of Friday’s match.
Leeds extended their lead at the top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Derby on Friday.
Derby released a statement before kick-off saying police had been called to their training complex on Thursday to investigate an intruder “acting suspiciously,” in an incident that left Rams boss Frank Lampard furious.
Leeds said on Saturday they would remind Bielsa and his backroom team of the “integrity and honesty” expected at Elland Road.
“Following comments made by Marcelo Bielsa yesterday the club will look to work with our head coach and his staff to remind them of the integrity and honesty which are the foundations that Leeds United is built on,” a club statement said.
“Our owner Andrea Radrizzani has met with Derby County’s owner Mel Morris to formally apologise for Marcelo’s actions. We will make no further comment on this matter,” the statement added.
Bielsa, formerly in charge of Argentina, Chile and a host of European clubs, said Friday he had used the practice of spying on opposition training sessions for nearly 20 years dating back to Argentina’s 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign.
“It’s true there was someone from Leeds United,” the Argentinian told Sky Sports. —