Leeds say booing during Ramadan break ‘disappointing’

Comments on Leeds’ Instagram posts from the weekend were filled with messages about Ramadan and fans’ reaction to the break.

It is understood that a number of fans have emailed the club to express their anger at the lack of public response from the club, with one saying they were “deeply disturbed” and “embarrassed” by what happened.

In a general email response sent by Leeds’ fan liaison officer, and seen by BBC Sport, he said: “The club is aware of the incident and it was disappointing that some fans chose to boo during a pause in play to allow players celebrating Ramadan to break their fast.

“The club is currently looking into why this happened and what can be done moving forward to prevent incidents of a similar nature from occurring again in the future.”

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was asked about this in his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Sunderland at Elland Road (19:30).

“To be honest, if it was really disrespectful in that sense because of the break, then you have to say we all have to learn from this,” he said.

“During the match, this was not my feeling because it was a surprise to everyone that there was this little break.”

Leeds lost the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium in November and Farke accused City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma of faking an injury to “bend the rules”, allowing manager Pep Guardiola to summon his players to the touchline and issue new instructions two minutes after play was stopped.

“I’m not sure everyone knew when the sun went down and we played the first game against Manchester City and stopped when Pep,” Farke said. [Guardiola] I got all the players together and talked to them.

“We had a good start to this game, we were fighting them and we beat them in the first 10 minutes and our fans had the feeling that they were doing the same thing as in the first game and that is why they were booing.

“I don’t think it had anything to do with the Ramadan break – I don’t think anyone was really aware of it. Someone told me it was on screen but I’m not sure at the moment everyone is watching the screen.

“If it is a matter of disrespect from the point of view of some, then this is unacceptable and we have to learn from it. In general, football and us as a dressing room, there is no better place to live together with different passports and different religions than the football club and our group.”

“I know there is great solidarity and everyone is supporting the same group. My gut feeling is that the fans didn’t even know what was happening.”

It is understood that the club privately admitted that its communications with its supporters ahead of the City match had been inadequate.

A similar break could occur during the second half of Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Norwich City at Elland Road (16:30) and Leeds are aiming to provide information about it in advance.