Andrea Radrizzani was due to make his first return to Elland Road since selling his majority stake in Leeds United, but the former owner’s long-awaited comeback has now been delayed after his invite was reportedly withdrawn. 

The 51-year-old Italian, who sold his 56 per cent share in the club to 49ers Enterprises in July 2023, was expected to be back in the directors’ box for Leeds’ clash with West Ham United on Friday. It would have been his first appearance at a Leeds match since the takeover that ended his six-year ownership. 

Radrizzani had revealed earlier this month, in an interview with the Daily Mail, that he had been invited back to Elland Road by 49ers Enterprises chairman Paraag Marathe. The plan was for that reunion to take place during the West Ham fixture — but that visit is now off the table. 

According to a follow-up report from the Daily Mail on Wednesday, Leeds chiefs have “sensationally” withdrawn the invitation after Radrizzani went public about his planned return. The decision is believed to have been made because the club were unhappy that the former owner had shared private details of the arrangement. 

Despite the...