Leeds United manager David O'Leary and chairman Peter Ridsdale yesterday denied Partizan Belgrade's claims of "dirty tricks".

Partizan have accused Leeds of "plotting" with UEFA to stage the game at a neutral venue.

Coach Miodrag Jesic claims the change is because Leeds are "scared" of facing his side in Belgrade and in front of Partizan's hostile fans, who are known as The Gravediggers.

Director Slobodan Novakovic even went so far as to suggest Leeds knew of UEFA's decision in advance, having already booked hotel reservations, while also requesting 3,000 tickets.

Both O'Leary and Ridsdale, however, believe Partizan are trying to rile their club, who had no choice but to accept Foreign Office guidelines recommending no British citizen travel to the former war-torn state.

"What they're suggesting is a joke," said O'Leary, who has not been able to see Partizan in action because of restricted access into Yugoslavia.

Ridsdale, meanwhile, was only too willing to travel to Belgrade and renew sporting links with Yugoslavia when the draw was made.

The United chairman is now surprised at some of the comments coming from Belgrade, but said: "They can say whatever they want to say, but we know different."