Leeds explain why their Championship winners celebrated in front of fans on an open top bus

Leeds United have defended the decision to allow boss Marcelo Bielsa and his entire played squad to celebrate promotion to the Premier League on an open-top bus in front of thousands of fans amid the coronavirus crisis.

Club officials and supporters’ groups had urged fans to stay away from Elland Road for the Championship trophy lift on Wednesday night. 

Chief executive Angus Kinnear said; ‘We must consider the health of people in our community before we celebrate.’

However, thousands of supporters were still drawn to the ground as the the squad lifted the trophy following the 4-0 victory over Charlton.

They saw the entire playing squad and Bielsa aboard the bus, with some speaking on a PA system in front of the East Stand.

Pictures of the bus, which was parked behind the centenary pavilion, surfaced online in the hours before kick-off.

A Leeds United spokesman told leeds-live.co.uk: ‘Following consultation with the SAG and [Leeds City] Council, Leeds United arranged for a bus to be parked outside the East Stand reception as a contingency to assist dispersal should a crowd congregate at Elland Road despite a month-long campaign from the club and supporter groups to encourage supporters to stay at home.

‘The safety group believed was that a brief appearance from the players with the Championship trophy, would help to signal an end to proceedings, encouraging fans to head home safely.