Marcelo Bielsa: Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says ‘common sense prevailed’ when Leeds United boss instructed team to allow equaliser

Marcelo Bielsa: Aston Villa manager Dean Smith says ‘common sense prevailed’ when Leeds United boss instructed team to allow equaliser
Dean Smith praised Marcelo Bielseas sportsmanship for his decision to allow Aston Villa to score an unopposed equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Elland Road.Leeds took a 72nd-minute lead in controversial fashion through Mateusz Klich after they had refused to kick the ball out of play despite Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia lying injured on the pitch.Getty4

Marcelo Bielsa instructed his team to let Aston Villa score

Villa’s players reacted furiously and in a mass melee that followed, defender Anwar El Ghazi was shown a straight red card for swinging an elbow at Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, though the contact was minimal.Chaos ensued as rival players and benches squared off in heated debate before Bielsa instructed his players to allow Villa to walk in an equaliser from the restart, with Albert Adomah tapping home an equaliser.Not all Leeds players agreed with Bielsas decision, though, as Pontus Jansson attempted to stop Adomah from scoring.Getty4

Pontus Jansson did not agree with the decision to allow them to score

“I can understand the frustration of the lad because I’ve been a player myself and that would be very difficult, when your job is to keep clean sheets and then you have to give a goal away,” said Smith.“But full respect to Marcelo and Leeds United for that because it was the right decision.“I think common sense prevailed and sportsmanship did with them allowing us to get the goal.“Klich apologised to me as he came off the pitch, saying that things like that shouldn’t happen.“I just suggested (to Bielsa) that I thought that would be a good thing and he agreed with me. I’m not sure all his players agreed.”Getty4

Jonathan Kodjia lies on the floor injured

Bielsa played down his decision to allow Villa to score the equaliser.The result ended Leeds’ highly unlikely chances of snatching automatic promotion off Sheffield United on the final day.“The facts are those which everyone could see,” Bielsa said.Getty4

Dean Smith praised Bielsa’s sportsmanship

“What happened happened and we behaved as we behaved. That’s all I can say about something which is very clear.”When asked if he had instructed his players to allow Villa’s equaliser in the interests of fair play or simply to help restore order, Bielsa said: “I don’t understand the difference. I don’t see any difference.“What happened happened and we reacted the way we reacted. You make a difference between fair play and the circumstances of the game, but for me it’s the same.“English football is known around the world for its noble features of how we play.” Bielsa appeared angry with defender Pontus Jansson, who clearly did not agree with his manager’s decision as he attempted to stop Adomah scoring.“Jansson didn’t want to obey the indication I gave,” Bielsa added. “That diminishes my authority and I don’t know what the consequences are when you lose respect from a player.

---

Nigel Adkins won 26 and lost 31 of his 78 games in charge of Hull City, after taking charge in December 2017 Nigel Adkins is to leave his role as Hull City head coach after 18 months in charge of
Nigel Adkins: Hull City boss to leave club at end of contract

---

Europa League Chelsea vs Arsenal free live stream and TV channel: How to watch the Europa League final Which channel to watch and how to live stream Arsenal vs Chelsea in the Europa League final Europa League final What the Chelsea fans are chanting at UEFA during the Europa League final vs Arsenal London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal face off in

---

Stay ahead with Sky Sports. Our Transfer Centre has the latest football transfer news, details on done deals, and speculation from the rumour mill.
Transfer news, rumours LIVE: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man Utd

---

Arsenal legend David Seaman revealed he would be supporting rivals Spurs tonight, shocking fans (Pic: TALKSPORT/ GETTY) "I don't think Man United, Arsenal or Chelsea are going to catch them," Seaman says. "That's the top three [Liverpool, Man City and Spurs]. "Obviously the next place is the most important one for us.
David Seaman - talkSPORT

---

The votes have been counted and you have voted for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as the BBC Sport website's own Player of the Year.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk makes big Chelsea and

---

Does Paul Pogba want to leave Man United this summer? And will it be for Real Madrid or Juventus? Transfer Talk is LIVE with the latest.
NewsNow: Man Utd Transfer News & Rumours news

---

Fans of the Gunners bombarded Cole's profile with abusive tweets as soon as the England left-back joined the site, as many of the Arsenal faithful have struggled to forgive Cole for his move to
'When are Arsenal fans going to wake up and smell the

---

Mar 15, 2019 · Premier League Preview: Everton v. Chelsea. By Daniel Karell Mar 15, Everton boss Marco Silva has defensive duo Seamus Coleman Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri on the win over Dynamo Kiev
Chelsea target Maurizio Sarri hints at interest in Premier

---

JEREMY Toljan must put his wretched spell at Borussia Dortmund behind him and rediscover the form that led to him being tipped to become a full German internationalist as a youngster if he wants his Celtic loan to be a success. But the right back possesses many attributes - including searing pace

---

Sarri drops HUGE hint Hazard will quit Chelsea for Real Madrid, admitting 'he has been a great player, it's time to accept his decision' the biggest hint yet that Eden Hazard is leaving
Eden Hazard transfer: 'I have made my decision' - Chelsea

---

Report Ad
Bargain prices. Brilliant reviews. Buy & browse online at BizRate.

---