Bielsa could not attend the awards, but excited everyone with his letter

Marcelo Bielsa is a special character. For many, a little bit crazy, for others, he is a genius. Beyond the tastes on how to understand the coach's football, FIFA wanted to reward his decision and that of the rest of the Leeds team for letting Aston Villa score a goal against them after having advanced and scored, taking advantage of the opposition players injury.

Always humble, the coach, who could not attend  'The Best' awards left a letter to Cooper, his captain, so he could read it and so his message arrived.

This was Bielsa's contribution in Milan:

"Good evening. In the game between Leeds and Aston Villa in the 2018/19 season, we scored a goal when the one opposition player was down injured. Immediately after,  when the game resumed, we served the situation to our rival to be able to score a goal and make the game even again. FIFA decided to recognise our behavior. Naturally I want to thank, share and dedicate this distinction to FIFA, Leeds United and their fans, who did not question my actions. They could have claimed that I had to respect the ruling of the official but instead accepted my particular interpretation of differentiating something that is legal between something that is fair. The fitness coach of the team Benoit Delaval and captain Liam Cooper are present at this event. The first significantly influence my decision and the second represents a player who had the extremely uncomfortable task of following my instructions".

"When choosing how to act, the most difficult thing is not distinguish between right and wrong but to accept the consequences of doing what corresponds. Whilst there are immediate effects the important thing is to consider how we feel when time passes and we review our behaviour. When, as in this case, there was no time to reflect and we had to intervene instantly, our reflexes are conditioned by education, examples, references. I want to mention my mother who always knew what was right and what was wrong. Also to Newell's Old Boys of Rosario, a club to which I belong where for 20 years I learned to live football in a particular way. There are permanent presences in my life such as my family and some friends who remind me of values that should not be forgotten".

"Football, due to its enormous impact, at time operates on some aspects of public morals and it is especially involved in the mouldings of lives of those who have less or are the weakest. It is not convenient to comment on realities that you imagine but do not live. However I think most of those who have less, chose to do the right thing. With great effort, they remain worthy and live in decency. The recognition that FIFA gives us today included them because it rewards the same behaviour that they anonymously live every day".

 

September 23, 2019