Leeds allows Villa to score uncontested goal in English game

LEEDS, England (AP) — Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa appeared to instruct his team to allow an opponent to score an uncontested goal amid extraordinary incidents in a key second-tier match in England on Sunday.

Leeds scored the opening goal against Aston Villa in its League Championship game while Villa had a man down injured. It sparked a series of on-field melees, during which Villa had Anwar El Ghazi sent off for violent conduct.

Bielsa, the Argentine coach, then apparently told his players to let Villa equalize, leading to the bizarre sight of Albert Adomah running from halfway through the Leeds team and scoring into an empty net. Only defender Pontus Jansson tried to stop Adomah, attempting a swipe at the ball but missing it.

Bielsa then argued with Villa assistant manager John Terry, the former Chelsea captain, on the touchline.

The match finished 1-1, ending Leeds’ hopes of automatic promotion and putting the team into the playoffs. Instead, Sheffield United joined Norwich in getting promoted.