Dean Smith praised Marcelo Bielsea’s sportsmanship for his decision to allow Aston Villa to score an unopposed equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
Leeds took a 72nd-minute lead in controversial fashion through Mateusz Klich after they had refused to kick the ball out of play despite Villa forward Jonathan Kodjia lying injured on the pitch.
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Marcelo Bielsa instructed his team to let Aston Villa score
Villa’s players reacted furiously and in a mass melee that followed, defender Anwar El Ghazi was shown a straight red card for swinging an elbow at Leeds striker Patrick Bamford, though the contact was minimal.
Chaos ensued as rival players and benches squared off in heated debate before Bielsa instructed his players to allow Villa to walk in an equaliser from the restart, with Albert Adomah tapping home an equaliser.
Not all Leeds players agreed with Bielsa’s decision, though, as Pontus Jansson attempted to stop Adomah from scoring.
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Pontus Jansson did not agree with the decision to allow them to score
“I can understand the frustration of the lad because I’ve been a player myself and that would be very difficult, when your job is to keep clean sheets and then you have to give a goal away,” said Smith.
“But full respect to Marcelo and Leeds United for that because it was the right decision.
“I think common sense prevailed and sportsmanship did with them allowing us to get the goal.
“Klich apologised to me as he came off the pitch, saying that things like that shouldn’t happen.
“I just suggested (to Bielsa) that I thought that would be a good thing and he agreed with me. I’m not sure all his players agreed.”
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Jonathan Kodjia lies on the floor injured
Bielsa played down his decision to allow Villa to score the equaliser.
The result ended Leeds’ highly unlikely chances of snatching automatic promotion off Sheffield United on the final day.
“The facts are those which everyone could see,” Bielsa said.
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Dean Smith praised Bielsa’s sportsmanship
“What happened happened and we behaved as we behaved. That’s all I can say about something which is very clear.”
When asked if he had instructed his players to allow Villa’s equaliser in the interests of fair play or simply to help restore order, Bielsa said: “I don’t understand the difference. I don’t see any difference.
“What happened happened and we reacted the way we reacted. You make a difference between fair play and the circumstances of the game, but for me it’s the same.
“English football is known around the world for its noble features of how we play.”
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Bielsa appeared angry with defender Pontus Jansson, who clearly did not agree with his manager’s decision as he attempted to stop Adomah scoring.
“Jansson didn’t want to obey the indication I gave,” Bielsa added. “That diminishes my authority and I don’t know what the consequences are when you lose respect from a player.â€
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