Leeds apologise after being told no fans are allowed to watch pre-season friendlies in Germany

Leeds United, for the second year in a row, apologise after being told no fans are allowed to watch pre-season friendlies in Germany.

The club have been left frustrated again, this time pointing the finger at police and local authorities for denying them match permits in the past week.

Last summer, after the strain of Euro 2024, Leeds were told German police could not stretch to support their friendlies in the country and ordered no fans be permitted.

However, 12 months later, with no major tournament in the country, the outcome is the same. Here’s what they had to say on the matter,

🇩🇪 #LUFC will travel to Germany in pre-season, as part of preparations for the upcoming 25/26 Premier League season

— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 27, 2025

The club said in a statement: “Leeds United will travel to Germany in pre-season as part of preparations for the upcoming 2025/26 Premier League season, after the technical success of the camp last year helped us win the Sky Bet Championship title.

“Opponents and venues for fixtures were arranged earlier this year, and written assurances secured from both the German FA and our tour operator as well, given last summer we were asked at short notice by the police and local authorities not to bring supporters due to a resource strain following UEFA Euro 2024.

“Frustratingly, despite having matches agreed for a number of months, we have in the last week been informed that the police and local authorities will once again not grant a permit for us to play matches in front of spectators, will prohibit us from providing live updates and video streams, and have requested we discourage supporter travel.

“This comes despite multiple attempts to find a solution including offering various assurances, pursuing alternative scenarios that would allow for fan attendance, and even evaluating moving camp to a different location on short notice. Unfortunately, those efforts were fruitless due to the last second nature of our change in circumstances.

“This result is deeply frustrating to all of us, just as it is sure to frustrate and anger you, our loyal supporters, to whom we apologise unreservedly for this outcome.

“We remain excited about our summer friendlies against Manchester United, Villarreal CF, and AC Milan, with tickets available for all three matches, and the opportunity for supporters to travel with the team to Sweden and Ireland.

“Ticket information for our friendly against Villarreal will be released in due course.”

LUFC Trust responded: “For the second consecutive season Leeds United fans are being excluded from attending pre-season friendlies in Germany without any sensible explanation coming from authorities.

“This is extremely disappointing, given that the excuse last year was around post-Euros policing (despite other British clubs being allowed fans in attendance in Germany).

“We respect the club & Daniel Farke’s desire to keep a successful training camp in Germany, but would expect a valid reason from authorities as to why once again our fans are being unduly excluded.

“We recognises the work by the club to secure high profile friendlies in Scandinavia and Ireland, giving back to the loyalty of fans who we know regularly travel.

“The Trust will reach out to the German authorities. @WeAreTheFSA”

Leeds fans express frustration at not being allowed in Germany for pre-season tour

Reaction continued as Leeds apologise after being told no fans are allowed to watch pre-season friendlies in Germany…

@_ed19: Stop going to Germany?

@Tibet110266: Pull out & fuck them off.

@DavidIHogarth: Amateur hour from the Club again – there’s innumerable other options that could have enabled fans to attend, yet we choose to go to the one place that won’t. A missed player/fans bonding opportunity ahead of what will be a really tough season – really poor from #lufc

@leedsnoinfidel: Just say you don’t want fans around and would rather train in private. I think we’d understand

@DazMayalukas: Just a short journey from Germany to Czech Republic, come to us instead… beer is cheaper too 🍻🇨🇿

@PovedaSZN: pisstake they would even consider returning to the same camp after what happened last season

@Lufc19821: Don’t go to Germany as a club. It’s second year it’s happened. Think about your fans.

@andrewrp240480: Last year went so well…. where shall we go this year.. tell you what lads…let’s do exactly the same thing and tell supporters we tried…. that’ll work

@jack_cym: Why travel to Germany again if they’re restricting fans and live streaming? Fucking weird decision

@dzialowskimatt: Fans look forward to this every year and for the second year running they’ve done this. I know it’s to prepare the team but ffs Leeds.

@MichaelLUFC: You could understand it last year because of the Euros but at the very least we should be having live coverage of the games, especially when we’ll have plenty of exciting new signings that we all want to watch. Football is for the fans! #LUFC

@_RB_Ash: This is fucking shite by the way. Play in England and bin off playing in Germany. The club should have known from last season that the police won’t let fans attend the games so what idiot allowed us to play in Germany again? Absolutely stupid! You get what you deserve. 👎 #LUFC

@AllDayLUFC: Bad look again for the club (not necessarily their fault this year), with fans yet again not permitted to attend the games. Germany with no fans. AC Milan reserves in Dublin. Thought they were ‘definitely’ avoiding a situation like before? #LUFC

@DannyMiddleton_: When will this club grow a set of bollocks, why go again