Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani has defended the club's decision to travel to Myanmar for a post-season tour next month.
The Championship side are scheduled to play two fixtures in the country, which has been accused by the United Nations of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses against its Muslim Rohingya minority.
Shadow sports minister Dr Rosena Allin-Khan called the trip "morally corrupt", but Radrizzani believes that the tour can "have a positive impact on the local community".
"The club is not receiving any fee to play. Rather I see this both as a personal initiative to support local football and a way to introduce the name of Leeds United in the fastest growing country in Southeast Asia," Radrizzani wrote in an open letter to fans.
"I believe the tour will have a positive impact on the local community in parts of the country we intend to visit. This was a carefully considered decision and we knew it would be controversial, but this is about people, not governments.
"It has never been my intention, nor that of the club, to get involved in a political debate in Myanmar. However, if because of the tour we further highlight the ongoing serious issues in certain areas of the country, then maybe that is a positive thing."
Leeds are due to face a Myanmar National League All-Star team in Yangon, also known as Rangoon, and the country's national team in Mandalay.
Giuseppe Labellarte
