Skip to main content
Hello! We use cookies to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. Find out more.

To: Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani

Leeds United stay away from Myanmar

Please cancel your post-season matches in Myanmar.

Why is this important?

Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is planning a tour of Myanmar, whose government has been accused of genocide due to the mass murdering of the Rohingya Muslim community. The United Nations has described the case in Myanmar as a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” Nearly 700,000 people have been forced to flee their homes and leave the country since August.

For Leeds United to play football matches against local teams in this climate of fear is to lend credibility and respectability to this campaign of abuse. It will tarnish the reputation of a great football club, particularly as the decision is most likely driven by making money. The tour is being sponsored by AYA bank, a private bank in Myanmar and the owner of Leeds United has business interests in the country. Big bosses are using Leeds United for personal gain and condoning horrific human rights abuses in the process. This is simply wrong.

The Rohingya community in the UK, Amnesty International and UK politicians have already spoke out against the tour. Leeds United's own social media channels have advised fans to wait further instruction before travelling to the region. The tour not only risks players' and fans' safety, it is seemingly blind to the horrific abuse taking place in Myanmar.

How it will be delivered

By email or I will ask Leeds United supporters to do so.

Category

Updates

2018-05-03 11:06:37 +0100

With six days to go to Leeds' first match, I have delivered the petition by an email addressed to Mr. Radrizzani along with copies to the editors of the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post. Should there be any response, I will let you know.
Thanks again to all right thinking persons who signed.

2018-05-02 10:54:33 +0100

Hello everyone and thanks for signing. We are almost up to 4,000 signatures now and I would like to get the petition delivered soon before the matches are played next week. Is there anybody in Leeds who would like to arrange a photo opportunity with the local press and deliver it in person? I know that local MPs have condemned this tour and I am sure the local press would be only too happy to continue pursuing this story.

2018-04-29 18:27:46 +0100

Thanks to those who have signed, almost 3,000 now. I have received an email from a Leeds United fan in which he complains that some signatories have posted abusive and bigoted comments about the club and its fans on the Facebook page.

Please could you refrain from this as many LUFC supporters disagree with Mr. Radrizzani involving their club in this folly and are sympathetic to our cause.

Thank you

2018-04-27 18:17:14 +0100

Here's his letter:
https://www.leedsunited.com/news/club-news/23306/open-letter-from-andrea-radrizzani

2018-04-27 18:15:16 +0100

Thanks to all those who have signed so far, we are making great strides. I have been sent a link to an open letter from Mr. Radrizzani which fails to address the murderous events in Myanmar but mentions its "incredibly warm and welcoming people". Tell that to the Rohingya.

2018-04-27 15:03:18 +0100

1,000 signatures reached

2018-04-26 21:20:45 +0100

500 signatures reached

2018-04-26 14:40:20 +0100

I am pleasantly surprised that well meaning football fans and their friends have taken my petition to heart. Thank you all.

2018-04-26 13:43:20 +0100

100 signatures reached

2018-04-26 13:11:04 +0100

50 signatures reached

2018-04-26 12:39:49 +0100

25 signatures reached

2018-04-25 16:52:14 +0100

10 signatures reached