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Chris Watson

'London and North divide' - Leeds United fans react to Tier 3 news as Elland Road wait goes on

Leeds United fans have been giving their reaction to the news that they will not be allowed back at Elland Road for the time being.

Leeds' home matches have been played behind closed doors since the summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Spectators were recently allowed to return to some stadiums following the end of the second national lockdown - in areas under Tier 1 or Tier 2 restrictions.

Leeds is currently in Tier 3 - the highest level of restrictions - and that will remain the case following a Government review of the situation.

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This will come as a disappointment to many who had hoped the area would be moved to Tier 2 following a drop in the rate of Covid-19 infections in recent weeks.

Announcing the decision in the House of Commons, health secretary Matt Hancock said: "The best way to get out of Tier 3 is to work to stop the spread of the virus. We have seen case rates fall across large parts of England.

"In places in Tier 3, we have seen case rates fall, but we are not there yet."

Bristol and North Somerset has been moved from Tier 3 to Tier 2, while some other areas are moving in the opposite direction.


Leeds' infection rate has plummeted since it was placed in the harshest tier in November but health leaders had previously warned the government not to move areas out of Tier 3 “prematurely”.

Had the city been moved into Tier 2 it would have meant 2,000 Leeds fans would have been able to attend the December 27 clash at home to Burnley but that will now again be played in an empty stadium.

Leeds head to Old Trafford this weekend to face Manchester United and that will also be played behind closed doors, as the city of Manchester is remaining in Tier 3 as well.

Whites fans fans have not been present at Elland Road since March 7, when Marcelo Bielsa's men beat Huddersfield Town 2-0 to move back to the top of the Championship.

That means fans missed the run-in and subsequent title celebrations, plus the start of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

A total of 13 matches have now been played behind closed doors at Elland Road, while Leeds have played in front of fans just once this term, the 3-1 defeat at Chelsea which took place before London was again put into Tier 3 restrictions.

   
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