The Whites boss saw nothing especially noble about his decision to let the Villas score at Elland Road following a controversial goal from the hosts
Marcelo Bielsa thinks it was in keeping with the spirit of English football for Leeds United to allow Aston Villa to score in Sunday's 1-1 Championship draw.
The home side were held at Elland Road, a result that means Sheffield United join Norwich City in securing automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds would have mathematically had a chance of pipping Chris Wilder's side to second place in the table with a win, and it looked as though three points were on the cards when Mateusz Klich broke the deadlock 72 minutes in after the hosts refused to put the ball out of play and allow Jonathan Kodjia treatment.
A bust-up on the pitch ensued, with Anwar El Ghazi sent off for a clash with Patrick Bamford, but Bielsa then ordered his players to allow Albert Adomah to equalise following the restart.
Explaining his decision to Sky Sports, Leeds boss Bielsa said: "We just gave the goal back. Everyone saw the facts. We expressed our interpretation of the facts by doing what we did.
"English football is known for this [sportsmanship]. I don't have to comment on this kind of thing, which is common in England."
Villa boss Dean Smith praised Bielsa and Leeds for their actions after admitting he had asked his opposite number to allow them the chance to score.
"I asked him, and he went, 'No, I agree'. I think they all agreed," said Smith. "He was apologising, so I said they should let us walk a goal in. They had a talk about it and said 'okay'. I'm full of respect for them for that.
"Klich's just apologised to me after the game. He said, 'I shouldn't have done that, it's wrong'. But every credit to Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa for giving us the opportunity to put that right."
Smith also confirmed Villa will appeal against El Ghazi's red card, which was rewarded after Bamford reacted theatrically when the Dutchman swung an arm in his direction.
"I've seen it back and I think everyone else has, so I'll be absolutely amazed if that's not rescinded. We will certainly appeal that," he said.
Hihbcny
0
I think d red card should stand ..he actually wanted to fight if the Leeds player had reacted same way he did...he took one for d team ..mayb if he didn’t react that way d coaches wouldn’t have agreed for a settlement goal..but d red should should stand..next time he won’t drag a player d way he did.
he never touched him he fell on the ground holding his fas like a fucking girl hate to see him if he got a real slap fucking wanker
Hihbcny
0
great to see and for all ye dicks saying they wer right to score and what wer villa complaining about well it's the fact villa put the ball out of play when villa wer on the attack and Leeds had a player down . so shut up ye know nothing about football it's called good sportsmanship .
SarriBallerXI
0
I was always told play to the whistle, don't blame the leeds player at all
We wanted them to kick it out for sportsmanship as we did it for them 5 minutes ago
opaques
4
Problem these days is teams cynically use the "I'm injured" card and then get up and sprint 50yds!!!!!
pololike
4
I was always told play to the whistle, don't blame the leeds player at all
Dioruno
2
would leeds have let them score if they still had a chance to go up
Tylerddr
1
It's about time the players scrapped this unwritten rule , it's the referee,s decision if a game should be stopped not the players
over36
1
If the game should have been stopped for injury that is the refs discretion. Play to the whistle. No point in having rules if everyone has their own version of how to play.
Royruss
1
The main issue was the fella who went to put it out so people stopped, then played on. Not in the spirit, at least Bielsa showed there's still some spirit left. Bamford though, purely embarrassing & disgraceful
Sampsons
0
Villa's fault. The rule is clear...you play to the whistle. Bielsa should never have let them score.
Newtondu
0
Should have played on, you have to play to the whistle
izzuet
1
Wish Jansson had have got his foot to the ball (when Villa were walking ball into net) and put it out of play. Then it really would have gone off big time
lingba
0
Every players knows (from an early age) you play to the whistle ~
urately
0
This kicking the ball out should be stopped, play to the whistle, and the game also only stopped for a head injury, it would stop all these players sitting on the floor feigning injuries!
Jularbal
0
It's time this so called 'rule' abandoned. The incidence where it becomes important are few and far between, now players feign injury so often it's laughable to stop play. Take yet another leaf out of the rugby book and allow the trainer to attend all these life threatening injuries while the game continues. Might stop the cheats?
Polaroider
0
If play is stopped for an "injury" the player should go off for 10 minutes for "treatment"! Wait and see how quickly they get up when they realise their team is going to be down to 10 men for 10 minutes !! Time to stop this cheating.
xvidoeos
0
Bielsa should have smashed his bucket in JT's face
zoekid
0
For me it's you ALWAYS play to the whistle, but unfortunately the vast majority of todays footballers do not do that.
lahmmiss
0
You play to the whistle, terrible reaction from the villa mob
Nichola
0
If it's not an obvious head injury then no one should be stopping unless the whistle is blown. Leeds did nothing wrong at all - Villa players need to read up on the rules.
Billboards
1
Hope that gets voted goal of the season in the championship 🤦🏼♂️😂 tbh fair play to the Leeds manager
LoveHardy
0
Play to the whistle, now giving in to Villa's moaning could well have cost the club millions
Toni13
0
John Terry still piping up when Bielsa’s done the honourable thing.
ausoga
0
Villa should have played to the whistle. How often do teams carry on playing when someone goes down injured? Nearly everytime.
Gerarda
0
It wasn't though. The referee saw the player down and made no attempt to stop play, even when the Leeds players slowed down. Villa are in the wrong here and should've had 3 players sent off as well post-goal
Harden1313
0
Completely wrong. Play the whistle. If the player is injured that bad the referee can stop play
dramatic
1
What’s the maddest moment this season? Bielsa forcing Leeds to let Villa score Kepa refusing to come off
Ivanoadam4
0
I think d red card should stand ..he actually wanted to fight if the Leeds player had reacted same way he did...he took one for d team ..mayb if he didn’t react that way d coaches wouldn’t have agreed for a settlement goal..but d red should should stand..next time he won’t drag a player d way he did.
Edoo87
3
real sportmanship
Edoo87
3
good step