Here are your Leeds United headlines on Sunday, April 23, 2023.
Blackout rule exception
The Premier League blackout rule, or Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes to give it its proper name, exists to block the television broadcast of games at any level in England's professional football pyramid between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on a Saturday. The rule is there to protect the attendance of matches and the participation of games at grassroots level.
And yet, on Saturday May 6 at 3pm Leeds United's game against Manchester City will be broadcast on TV. The fixture was originally scheduled to take place the following day, but has been moved due to Man City's clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday May 9.
The Premier League have now explained why the match will have to take place on a Saturday at 3pm despite Sky Sports confirming the game will retain its broadcast status. The game cannot take place at lunchtime so as to not clash with the coronation of King Charles, while a tea-time kick-off is not possible due to a lack of police resource.
Read more: Leeds United are the lifeblood keeping the bottom four alive as they slip into their own coma
The Daily Mail report the Premier League still needs agreement with ‘relevant stakeholders’ for the game to be televised, those include UEFA and the Football League.
Llorente deal not certain
Leeds United loanee Diego Llorente is reportedly yet to convince the AS Roma bosses that his £18 million price tag is worth the risk in the summer transfer market.
The 29-year-old is now 'perfectly integrated' into the Serie A side's squad according to manager Jose Mourinho after failing to break through early on into his spell away from Elland Road. But despite four consecutive starts in all competitions, including both legs of their successful Europa League quarter-final tie against Feyenoord, it appears as though the higher-ups at the club aren't convinced according to Italian outlet Roma Live.
See the latest transfer talk here.
Pundits call
BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand and Steve Sidwell have reiterated Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia's call for his side to find their balance after another defeat. The Whites were beaten for the third game in a row as they travelled to face Fulham at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Harry Wilson and Andreas Pereira.
But despite a late own goal by Joao Palhinha, Leeds were once again left to rue their chances, with the result leaving them 16th but they could fall into the relegation zone if results go against them this afternoon.
"It's difficult - once you're in that rut, everything seems to be going against them at the moment," Ferdinand said on BT Sport after the defeat."
Orta feels the heat
Victor Orta’s been able to watch Leeds in peace for the past two months, but he was brought to the fore again yesterday. The away-day die-hards, the beating heart of United’s fan base, called for the director of football’s head for the first time since that Goodison Park horror show in February.
The recent developments around Jean-Kevin Augustin have, of course, not helped Orta’s stock, but when Leeds have declined the way they have since the start of last season, fingers are always going to point at those steering the ship.
Talking points from a fiery day at Fulham
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