Leeds United will once again be testing in Germany during their summer preparations. However, for the second year in a row, no fans will be allowed to accompany the Premier League newcomers, much to the displeasure of the club and its supporters.
Leeds United fans have marked August 18 in their calendars. That’s when the newly promoted team kicks off the new Premier League season with a home game against Everton.
However, discontent is now growing over planned pre-season games in Germany – for the second year in a row. Because head coach Daniel Farke’s team, who will also be coaching the Whites in the English top flight, had a good experience with test matches in Germany last summer, those responsible decided to return to this destination.
In the summer of 2024, the German police and local authorities asked Leeds at short notice not to bring any fans to Germany due to the strain on resources after the European Championship. At the beginning of the year, Leeds then finalized the opponents and venues for the games in Germany and obtained written assurances from the DFB and the tour operator.
“Circumstances changed at the last minute”
“Frustratingly, we were informed last week that the police and local authorities have once again refused to grant us permission to play in front of spectators, banned us from providing live updates and video streams, and asked us to refrain from organizing fan travel,” Leeds wrote on its website on Friday. “This is despite our repeated attempts to find a solution.”
The club said it had left no stone unturned, “made various commitments, pursued alternative scenarios that would allow fans to attend, and even considered moving the camp to another location at short notice. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful as circumstances changed at the last minute.”
This outcome is “deeply frustrating” for all parties. The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust also issued a statement. “For the second time in a row, Leeds United fans have been denied the opportunity to attend friendly matches in Germany without any reasonable explanation from the authorities,” it said.
The trust announced that it would be contacting the German authorities. “We respect the wishes of the club and Daniel Farke to maintain a successful training camp in Germany, but we expect the authorities to provide a valid reason why Leeds United fans are once again being unlawfully excluded.”
At the same time, Leeds pointed out that travel to friendly matches in Sweden and Ireland will be permitted. The opponents there will be Manchester United, Villarreal, and AC Milan.