Ridsdale: No complaints

A dejected Dacourt aims to help Leeds bounce back

Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale refused to "whinge and complain" following the club's 3-0 Champions League defeat by Valencia on Tuesday.

The Elland Road chief said he was delighted that Leeds had reached the semi-finals, viewing their loss as "part of the learning experience".

Ridsdale told BBC Five Live: "It has been very exciting. I am very proud - we could not have dreamed of getting so far in Europe.

"We knew whoever we played in the semi-final it would be difficult."

We've still a chance of being in the Champions League [next season], so we can't give up

  Olivier Dacourt

Controversy surrounded Valencia's first goal - scorer Juan Sanchez looked to have used his upper arm to bundle the ball over the line.

But Ridsdale refused to look for excuses. He said: "We can whinge and complain about the first goal but no, in the end we were outplayed on the night.

"This is part of our learning experience. To reach the semi-finals is a very good performance at our stage of building and I am delighted to have got that far."

Ridsdale confirmed that Leeds would go ahead with their plan to appeal against the three-match ban on midfielder Lee Bowyer for stamping on Sanchez in the first leg at Elland Road.

And the Leeds chairman restated his intention to back manager David O'Leary in the transfer market, with the club having banked around £20m from their European adventure.

He said: "It's down to David on whether he wants to go out and strengthen the squad.

"If he does want to do that, then we will do what we have always done at Leeds United, and that is back the manager and try and sign the players he wants to bring in."

Meanwhile, French midfielder Olivier Dacourt has pledged to help Leeds bounce back from their European exit and qualify for next season's competition.

Leeds' handball appeal fell on deaf ears

Leeds' blow was softened after Liverpool only managed a 2-2 draw at home to Chelsea in the Premiership.

That means the Yorkshire side can still take third spot in the league and with it a Champions League slot.

To do that, they need to win both their remaining games and hope Liverpool drop further points against Charlton.

Dacourt said: "There is so much disappointment - this is very difficult to accept.

"We gave our all, but it wasn't good enough, although Valencia are a very good side and I hope they now go on to win the Champions League.

"I also hope we are in the competition with them again next season. We've still a chance of being in the Champions League, so we can't give up.

"We've two more matches and we have to win them both to give ourselves that chance.

"It is so important we win those two games, but you have to think Liverpool are the favourites now."