Scandinavian supporters group urge Leeds United to cancel Burma tour

A prominent fans group has called on Leeds United to drop their plans for a two-match tour of Burma, warning the trip will 'damage the club's reputation and standing.'
Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom, whose squad are due to play two friendlies in Burma next month.Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom, whose squad are due to play two friendlies in Burma next month.
Leeds United head coach Paul Heckingbottom, whose squad are due to play two friendlies in Burma next month.

The Leeds United Supporters Club of Scandinavia (LUSCOS) has added to pressure on Leeds to rethink their decision to stage two friendlies next month at a time of severe political unrest in Burma.

United have lined up games against a Myanmar National League All-Stars side in Yangon on May 9 and Burma’s national team in Mandalay on May 11, the week after their Championship season ends.

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The trip is commercially driven and the announcement of it attracted heavy criticism amid claims that Leeds were raising the profile of a state and government which stands accused of serious human rights abuses against its own people.

The United Nations claimed the ruling regime’s policies amount to “ethnic cleansing” of minority groups and Leeds’ plan to travel to Burma was attacked by a number of MPs and charities, including Amnesty International.

LUSCOS, which represents around 5,000 supporters, said in a statement: “The trip will damage Leeds United’s reputation and standing. We fear that the club, the players and supporters will be associated as directly or indirectly supporting the Myanmar government, a government that has a lot of answer for regarding human rights violations.

“We can’t see any good sporting reason for the trip. Leeds United is a football club renowned for its social work and many contributions in the community. The scheduled Myanmar trip will put the club in a bad light. The club should really reconsider.”

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Leeds have made no further comment about the tour since announcing their proposed schedule yesterday morning.

The trip has been arranged and funded by Zaw Zaw, a local businessman and an associate of Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani. Zaw Zaw has banking interests in Burma and also controls both the national league and the country’s Football Association.

The Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country, though the friendlies are due to take place outside the most volatile zones.