Marcelo Bielsa poses questions about Leeds United's Tier 3 consequences and suggests 'common sense' analysis for football

Today's announcement by health secretary Matt Hancock placed the city of Leeds in Tier 3 when the current lockdown ends on December 2, which means the absence of fans at Elland Road will continue.

But when the Whites travel to Stamford Bridge on December 5, there could be up to 2,000 Chelsea fans in attendance because London, like Liverpool, is in Tier 2.

Bielsa was asked if it was fair for other clubs to be able to play in front of supporters when the likes of Leeds cannot, and suggested that it was not the most important question to be asked, putting forward his own questions for the country's decision makers.

"It's a question that is linked to those who define the categories," he said.

"If the reasons for why Leeds are in Tier 3 are the correct ones then it's the correct decision. If in Tier 3 it means it's risky for the public to attend [games] then the decision is correct again.

"What I don't know is if it's correct that Leeds are in Tier 3 and there should be no fans. The question shouldn't be if it's okay that Leeds have no fans and Liverpool do have fans, the question should be is Leeds right to be in Tier 3 and is it right that in Tier 3 no fans should attend."

But he concedes that there is a debate to be had over sporting integrity, because crowds impact results. And in the Argentine's mind, it is common sense that clubs in regions where the risk of infection is deemed greater should not be penalised by the rules and clubs should be treated equally.

"There is another look to this, how we stop allowing the competition to be deformed," he said.

"The competition has natural scaffolds, the power of each club corresponds to that club, so perhaps there could be a rule that states that if fans are not allowed in stadiums then fans shouldn't be allowed until everyone can have them in,"

"It shouldn't have to do with the category or the consequences of being in a category, it should be about trying to maintain the competition as equal as possible with things that are controllable.

"But I am just applying a common sense which perhaps doesn't correspond. The presence of the fans has an effect on the result, what the organisation says is that the people who are from places where there is a higher risk of infection means for that reason they will be penalised. But you can perhaps say these institutions shouldn't be punished because there is a higher risk of infection."

Regardless of the situation Leeds find themselves in, Bielsa says he will make no complaints.

"I am just making an analysis from common sense, for me it's the same if we play with more fans or with less fans," he said.

"But I am not going to say anything if we have to play with or without fans, that's up to the people who decide."