MPs issue new call for Leeds United to axe Myanmar trip

Leeds United were today urged by five of the city's MPs to drop their controversial plans for a post-season tour to Myanmar.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves.Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves.
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves.

Leeds’s Labour MPsRachel Reeves, Hilary Benn, Richard Burgon, Fabian Hamilton and Alex Sobel – have written to United owner Andrea Radrizzani to express their concern over the trip.

Myanmar’s governing regime has been accused of the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims, including rape and slaughter.

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Shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan, Amnesty International and some Leeds fans have also urged the club to cancel the tour.

Leeds West MP Ms Reeves said: “Almost 700,000 people have been forced to flee the Myanmar government’s brutal regime of terror and violence.

“Thousands of people have been killed and the human rights situation continues to deteriorate drastically.

“If Leeds United play in Myanmar, they will be sending a message that they are effectively endorsing the government’s actions and delivering them a propaganda coup.

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“The club has a moral responsibility to consider its actions very carefully and listen to the concerns from organisations like the Leeds United Supporters’ Trust and Amnesty International UK.

“The management at Leeds United should urgently rethink their decision and cancel plans to tour Myanmar as a matter of urgency.”

United are due to play an All-Star XI in Yangon on May 9 and Myanmar’s national team in Mandalay on May 11.

Radrizzani, who has business interests in south-east Asia, insists the trip will have a positive impact.

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“It has never been my intention, nor that of the club, to get involved in a political debate in Myanmar,” he said in an open letter earlier this week.

“However, if because of the tour we further highlight the ongoing serious issues in certain areas of the country, then maybe that is positive thing.

“We simply want to use sport to do some good. I am proud to be active in another region in south-east Asia where I support via Play For Change, a local NGO (non-governmental organisation) in Nepal, in providing sports and educational activities to over 4,000 underprivileged children.

“We can’t spread our values by turning our backs, we can only do this by engaging.

“We will go to Myanmar to share the famous values and ethos of Leeds United Football Club.”