The Leeds fans in the Transfer Tavern have been waking up to the news that their club will be playing two post-season friendly matches in Myanmar. The club will travel to South-East Asia to face the Myanmar National League All-Stars and the Myanmar National team on the 9th and 11th May as part of their AYA Bank Tour 2018. Fans can read more details on the Leeds United website.
| Leeds United are delighted to announce the #AYABankTour18, featuring two friendly matches in Myanmar
More info https://t.co/lmCtLZrk2X pic.twitter.com/FTQRJGYqp7
— Leeds United (@LUFC) 24 April 2018
The news hasn’t gone down particularly well with supporters who would rather have seen their side travel to a less obscure destination, such as Portugal or Spain. However, the trip to Asia will provide both the players and the fans a chance to escape from their dismal Championship campaign as they chase a return to the Premier League next season.
The Whites travel to Myanmar with more than just football in mind. The club will be running football clinics with Myanmar Football Federation Academies in Yangon and Mandalay where players and coaches will hold sessions for children from the local areas. The club will also be given the opportunity to visit some of the countries cultural sites in their time in the country. A note for the fans is that the internationals among the Leeds United squad, such as Pontus Jansson, won’t be travelling with the squad as they prepare for the World Cup and other international commitments.
You can read the Elland Road faithful’s verdict on the club’s tour here:
Christ, at least Cellino had never heard of Myanmar
— Dan (@lufc_dan) April 24, 2018
This is actually appalling, why can’t we go normal places like Spain or Portugal
— (@laurinaaa_) 24 April 2018
https://twitter.com/LUFC1992/status/988709702153461761
I'd be really interested to hear what part this country's atrocious human rights record played in the discussion about whether to go. I'm all for sport building bridges. But there? Now? When the state is supporting ethnic cleansing? Please do let us know the logic.
— Richard Young (@RichardYoung) April 24, 2018
beats another away day in Sheffield, I suppose.
— SimNIBS ON (@simnibon) April 24, 2018
How very very bizarre. They have a terrible human rights record. First, a link up with Uber and now this. What is going on?
— AJL (@lawsonandy1980) April 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/george_hardaker/status/988696509188333568
