Leeds United won the Championship title last season two earn promotion back to the Premier League Leeds have apologised "unreservedly" after German authorities said their fans are unable to attend pre-season matches in the country. The Whites will travel to Germany for an eight-day training camp as they prepare for their return to the Premier League. Daniel Farke's side made a similar trip last summer and were asked by police and local authorities not to bring supporters because of the resources needed to host Euro 2024. Leeds say they had "written assurances" from the German Football Association and their tour operator that fans could attend this year, but have now been told they cannot. "Frustratingly, despite having matches agreed for a number of months, we have in the last week been informed that the police and local authorities will once again not grant a permit for us to play matches in front of spectators, will prohibit us from providing live updates and video streams, and have requested we discourage supporter travel," Leeds said in a statement. "This comes despite multiple attempts to find a solution including offering various assurances, pursuing alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even evaluating moving camp to a different location on short notice. "Unfortunately, those efforts were fruitless due to the last-second nature of our change in circumstances. "This result is deeply frustrating to all of us, just as it is sure to frustrate and anger you, our loyal supporters, to whom we apologise unreservedly for this outcome." The Leeds United Supporters Trust said the club had not received "any sensible explanation" for the decision and will be contacting the German authorities. "We respect the club and Daniel Farke's desire to keep a successful training camp in Germany, but would expect a valid reason from the authorities as to why once again Leeds United fans are being unduly excluded," the group said. Leeds fans are able to attend pre-season friendlies against Manchester United in Stockholm and AC Milan in Dublin next month, as well as a home match against Villarreal on 2 August. Farke's side begin their Premier League campaign at home to Everton on Monday 18 August.
Leeds apologise after fans blocked from Germany games
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"Leeds United Issues Apology After Fans Barred from Pre-Season Matches in Germany"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Leeds United has issued an unreserved apology to its fans after German authorities announced that they would not be allowed to attend the club's pre-season matches in Germany. Following their promotion back to the Premier League after winning the Championship title last season, Leeds planned an eight-day training camp in Germany. The club had previously been informed by police and local authorities during a similar trip last summer that supporters could not attend due to the resources required for Euro 2024. Despite having secured written assurances from the German Football Association and their tour operator regarding fan attendance this year, Leeds received unexpected news that their fans would again be barred from matches. The club expressed its frustration, stating that despite months of planning and attempts to negotiate a solution, they were informed just a week before the trip that permits for spectators would not be granted. Furthermore, they were instructed to refrain from providing live updates and video streams of the matches and were asked to discourage supporter travel altogether.
The Leeds United Supporters Trust has voiced its discontent, noting that the club has not received a sensible explanation from the authorities regarding the exclusion of fans. They expressed their respect for the club's desire to maintain the training camp in Germany but emphasized the need for a valid reason for such restrictions. In contrast, Leeds fans will have the opportunity to attend other pre-season friendlies, including matches against Manchester United in Stockholm and AC Milan in Dublin, as well as a home fixture against Villarreal on August 2. As Leeds prepares to kick off their Premier League campaign at home against Everton on August 18, the club's management and supporters alike are left grappling with the disappointment of the unexpected travel restrictions imposed by German officials.
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