Chaos continues at Leeds

18 April 2015 06:16

The never-ending chaos at Leeds continued on Friday as six players withdrew from Saturday's game at Charlton citing injury.

Italian quartet Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Dario del Fabro and Marco Silvestri, Frenchman Souleymane Doukara and Albanian Edgar Cani all told beleaguered head coach Neil Redfearn they were injured and could not travel to London.

Five of the sextet were signed by banned president Massimo Cellino, while Cani's deal was set-up by the Italian before he was banned by the Football League for failing its Owners and Directors Test.

Press Association Sport understands that Redfearn was not aware of any problems with the players and that United's physio was not aware of any injuries.

After receiving criticism from Leeds fans on Twitter after the story surfaced, Antenucci Tweeted: "I'm reading a lot bad thing about myself in the last time.tomorrow i'll not be in the match because I got injured yesterday.it's the truth.

"I read so much wickedness and insults in many posts.i'm a serious professional but if someone likes to insult me there is no 'problem. my injury is in the right leg did yesterday in training .a muscle injury."

Goalkeeper Silvestri also Tweeted, posting a picture of a cut on his back which he suffered during Tuesday's loss at Norwich. He, Antenucci and Silvestri have been first-team regulars this season, with Cani, Del Fabro and Doukara resigned to roles on the fringes.

Redfearn's position at Elland Road has become increasingly threatened over recent weeks, despite leading the club to Championship safety after taking off from ill-fated predecessors David Hockaday and Darko Milanic.

He saw assistant Steve Thompson lose his job without warning on April 2 and his own deal, which expires at the end of the season, looks increasingly unlikely to be renewed under the club's current regime.

Cellino is currently banned after being being found guilty of not paying tax on a yacht in Italy. He has been banned from holding any influence over the club since the end of January and is set to return in a fortnight's time.

Leeds were not available for comment.

Source: PA