Leeds United players claim they “can’t express how sorry” they are for failing to acknowledge fans prior to Sunday’s loss to Bournemouth.

A video showing Leeds players appearing to snub fans, including a youngster, as they left the team hotel prior to their 4-1 loss went viral on social media.

The Whites have only picked up one point in their last five games and sit one point above the relegation zone.

The club is debating the future of manager Javi Gracia.

“Firstly, the performance was not good enough,” Leeds players declared in a message to fans.

“There are no other options, and the only way to respond is on the pitch.” Leeds fans travel in large numbers all around the country and deserve better.

“What is equally concerning to us as a group is the online video of us leaving the hotel.” Words cannot explain how sorry we are that the young man in the video wearing the Leeds kit did not receive more attention from the squad.

“On a matchday, we do an activation walk, and before and after that, we stop for photos and autographs to ensure we interact with fans while also leaving on time for games.”

“However, there is no excuse for not acknowledging fans, and if the parents of the fan wearing the Leeds kit in the video could please make themselves known to us, we would be grateful.”

Leeds have probably the toughest remaining schedule of the clubs fighting relegation, with games against Manchester City and Newcastle coming up before trips to West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road to round off the season.

They conceded 23 goals in April, a Premier League record for a single month and the most by any top-flight team since Birmingham did the same in April 1965.