'Perhaps I go to the River Aire and dive in' - Victor Orta couldn't cope if Leeds United went down before fans attend Premier League games

Victor Orta says he could not cope if Leeds United were to be relegated from the Premier League before fans returned to stadiums and would want to 'dive into the River Aire.'
PASSION - Victor Orta says relegation before Leeds United fans could see their team play Premier League football in person would make him want to jump in the River Aire. Pic: GettyPASSION - Victor Orta says relegation before Leeds United fans could see their team play Premier League football in person would make him want to jump in the River Aire. Pic: Getty
PASSION - Victor Orta says relegation before Leeds United fans could see their team play Premier League football in person would make him want to jump in the River Aire. Pic: Getty

The Whites director of football says the COVID-19 pandemic has left him and Elland Road feeling empty on match days, when the club's supporters have been locked out of fixtures with top flight opposition like Manchester City, Wolves and Leicester. There was hope that fans could make a return this season and Leeds were working on plans for a lottery system for season ticket holders to gain access to a small number of home games each. But with the UK entering a second lockdown period today, the return of fans to Elland Road seats appears as far away as it ever has during the crisis.

According to the Press Association, Orta told the Game of Two Halves online event, set up by thebusinessdesk.com, that football does not feel right without supporters.

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"We are maintaining a business where people talk about the TV rights and a lot of things, but we need the fans. It's the core of this sport," he said.

"This situation is really tough. Each day I am going to watch the games with Elland Road empty, I feel sick in my heart. When I cross the street to talk to people they ask me 'when are we coming back to Elland Road?' Because it's not the same."

Leeds have been playing behind closed doors since June and Orta's directors box antics have become a regular talking point, as his cries of elation or frustration echo around Elland Road and he attempts to create a one-man atmosphere. But one of the fears expressed by Whites after the club's promotion to the top flight was that they would last just a single season and go down before stadiums reopened and Orta shares that dread. He's determined to do everything in his power to avoid that fate.

"For me it would be a big disappointment if we were relegated and people could not watch any game, I could not cope with this," he said.

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"After 16 years (outside the Premier League) we are relegated and people cannot go to the games, perhaps I go to the River Aire and dive in, this is my reaction. I hope this does not happen and I am going to work hard, and everybody is working hard to stop this happening."

Leeds have hit the ground running in the Premier League with 10 points from their opening seven games and sit 12th in the 20-team division going into Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The trip to the capital will bring the Whites' last outing before the November international break and then Arsenal - two points ahead of Marcelo Bielsa's men currently - will provide another glamourous fixture at Elland Road that fans will only be able to enjoy via a screen, while Orta sits in the ground and wishes they were all around him.