Dacourt denies talk of Leeds departure

Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt said today he was not leaving the Premiership side when the season ended.

Leeds United midfielder Olivier Dacourt said today he was not leaving the Premiership side when the season ended.

France international Dacourt was quoted in the British press over the weekend saying he was one of the players manager David O'Leary would have to sell - along with the likes of Robbie Keane, Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell - if Leeds were to overcome a half-yearly loss of £13.8 million sterling.

But the 27-year-old said this was "nonsense" and told today's Yorkshire Evening Postthere was no truth in the rumour that he was trying to engineer a move to Italian side Juventus.

"I have just returned from a nice weekend in France to find out about this nonsense," he said. "It makes me feel sick. When someone mentions that a great club like you, then obviously you say that you are flattered.

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"I would have said the same thing about Roma or AC Milan, but that doesn't mean I am going there." He said: "As for the club's financial situation, I don't go to board meetings and I don't know if the manager has to sell players or which, if any, of my team-mates will be moving on.

"I am upset and frustrated and I am sorry for the supporters who may believe these things, but the truth is that that I'm positive about our chances of reaching the Champions League and I'm happy with the contract I signed with Leeds last summer".

AFP