Leeds United branded 'disgraceful' over plans to play on 'grounds soaked in the blood of innocent children' in Myanmar
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Leeds United will play on 'grounds soaked in the blood of innocent Rohingya children, women and older people' on a post-season tour of war-torn Myanmar, it's claimed.
The British Rohingya Community UK group released a strong statement after Leeds confirmed they'd play two games in the country which was formerly known as Burma.
There has been a bloody conflict involving the Myanmar military and the Rohingya people with the government in recent months being accused of ethnic cleansing.
The conflict has been so intense that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is advising people against 'all but essential travel' to several areas of the country, reports LeedsLive .
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British Rohingya Community UK said: "This is absolutely disgraceful. Leeds United FC is going to play football on the grounds soaked in the blood of innocent Rohingya children, women and older people.
"Please visit Leeds United Football Club’s Facebook page and let them know how disgusted we are with that.
"If need be, we will picket LUFC board meetings."
The club's controversial decision has also attracted the attention of Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, who says it 'seems like an odd choice of country to choose to tour'.
She added: "The last year has seen the human rights situation in Myanmar deteriorate dramatically.
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“Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled crimes against humanity in Rakhine State to neighbouring Bangladesh; those who remain continue to live under a system amounting to apartheid.
“The Myanmar authorities have continued the brutal crackdown despite a global outcry.
“Far too often sporting events have been used as a cheap PR tool to ‘sportswash’ the stain of a country’s human rights record.
“We’re not going to tell Leeds United where they should and shouldn’t visit, but if the tour does go ahead, the club should use its leverage to call for an end to the crackdown and raise with the Burmese authorities the plight of the hundreds of thousands of families who have been brutalised and forced to flee their homes.”
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Leeds United says it is disappointed with the reaction to the announcement and insists it is 'not a political tour'.
In a statement from the club issued to the Leeds United Supporters Trust, it said: “‘The two venues that we are visiting are both considered ‘Safe’ to travel to and located in regions not affected by any political turmoil.
“‘These areas are described as ‘Westernised’ and located far from the Northern areas affected by the unrest reported widely in the global media."
It continues: "‘In regards to the political viewpoint, Leeds United are not touring as guests of the government of Myanmar and this is not a political tour.
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“‘The club and the teams we are playing against are partnered with a local bank and of course the local football authorities, which under FIFA regulations must operate independently from the government.
“‘We see this as an opportunity for Leeds United to be pioneers and break down barriers and build relationships with the people and business community within a country trying to emerge from a difficult past.
“‘We believe that this represents a chance for those travelling to experience a new country and engage with its people.
“‘The club believes there is minimal risk involved in making this journey."