Whites issue public apology and condemn assault
Yorkshire Evening Post 20/10/12
By Phil Hay
Leeds United have issued a public apology and condemned the attack by one of their supporters on Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
The Elland Road club promised to co-operate with police and Football Association investigations into the incident which saw Kirkland knocked to the ground by a Leeds fan during a volatile Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough.
The first game between the clubs for almost six years was overshadowed by the assault on Kirkland as United celebrated the 75th-minute goal from Michael Tonge which earned them a 1-1 draw.
The attack came in a second half which was marred by crowd trouble and unsavoury chanting, and Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones called for Leeds’ supporters – 5,000 of whom attended last night’s game – to be banned from all away fixtures until the Elland Road club “clean their house and get it in order.”
United are likely to face an FA charge over the trouble at Hillsborough and the club also plan to assist criminal proceedings against the supporter who struck Kirkland.
The incident played out on a live television broadcast by Sky Sports and images and the alleged name of the fan responsible were spread across Twitter after full-time.
In a statement, United said: “Leeds United publicly apologise for the actions of the fan who came onto the pitch and attacked Chris Kirkland.
“The club will fully co-operate with police and football authorities in identifying the individual concerned.
“After the week football has endured, there’s no place for this type of behaviour and the majority of Leeds fans will be ashamed of his actions.”
Leeds manager Neil Warnock, whose side fought back from Jay Bothroyd’s header to extend their unbeaten run to six matches, said: “It’s so sad, and all that for one moron.
“You can’t condone things like that and I hope the authorities take the appropriate action. Ninety nine per cent of our fans were superb but there’s a group in both camps, ours and Wednesday’s, that we could both do without. Both sets of fans were a little bit volatile but you’ll get that in a local derby.
“It was a cracking game but unfortunately the headlines are about one moron. Most Leeds fans won’t condone that. They’ll be glad if he gets done, I’m sure.”
Warnock revealed that he had suggested to police offers present at Hillsborough that he should approach United’s crowd to ease simmering tension at the end of the first half.
The 63-year-old said: “I asked them if they wanted me to go over and calm things down but they said that might inflame it.”
Last night’s derby saw chants aimed at Jones by United’s support, chants relating to criminal charges which the Wednesday boss was cleared of earlier in his managerial career.
Songs in reference to the death of two Leeds fans in Turkey 12 years ago were also heard in one section of the home end, missiles were traded between rival fans on several occasions.
Jones was scathing in his criticism of the Leeds contingent and also attacked Warnock for sending his players to applaud the away end after the final whistle.
Jones said: “You can’t let them (United’s fans) get away with that. They’re vile animals.
“They need to clean their house and get it in order. They should be banned from every away ground from now until they sort it. That was an absolute disgrace and I thought these days were gone.
“I said to Neil, and I’m not talking behind his back, to then go and send his players to clap them – I’m sorry but that’s not right.
“I really am fuming that he sent his players to clap them. For what? For wrecking a stadium and beating up my goalkeeper? They’re fools, animals – whatever you want to call them.”
Warnock responded by saying: “I think Dave’s just disappointed at not winning the game.
“They’ve not had a very good run and I understand his feelings.
“You do get upset if you don’t get a result and you don’t mention anything that’s detrimental about your own side or your own fans.”
By Phil Hay
Leeds United have issued a public apology and condemned the attack by one of their supporters on Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
The Elland Road club promised to co-operate with police and Football Association investigations into the incident which saw Kirkland knocked to the ground by a Leeds fan during a volatile Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough.
The first game between the clubs for almost six years was overshadowed by the assault on Kirkland as United celebrated the 75th-minute goal from Michael Tonge which earned them a 1-1 draw.
The attack came in a second half which was marred by crowd trouble and unsavoury chanting, and Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones called for Leeds’ supporters – 5,000 of whom attended last night’s game – to be banned from all away fixtures until the Elland Road club “clean their house and get it in order.”
United are likely to face an FA charge over the trouble at Hillsborough and the club also plan to assist criminal proceedings against the supporter who struck Kirkland.
The incident played out on a live television broadcast by Sky Sports and images and the alleged name of the fan responsible were spread across Twitter after full-time.
In a statement, United said: “Leeds United publicly apologise for the actions of the fan who came onto the pitch and attacked Chris Kirkland.
“The club will fully co-operate with police and football authorities in identifying the individual concerned.
“After the week football has endured, there’s no place for this type of behaviour and the majority of Leeds fans will be ashamed of his actions.”
Leeds manager Neil Warnock, whose side fought back from Jay Bothroyd’s header to extend their unbeaten run to six matches, said: “It’s so sad, and all that for one moron.
“You can’t condone things like that and I hope the authorities take the appropriate action. Ninety nine per cent of our fans were superb but there’s a group in both camps, ours and Wednesday’s, that we could both do without. Both sets of fans were a little bit volatile but you’ll get that in a local derby.
“It was a cracking game but unfortunately the headlines are about one moron. Most Leeds fans won’t condone that. They’ll be glad if he gets done, I’m sure.”
Warnock revealed that he had suggested to police offers present at Hillsborough that he should approach United’s crowd to ease simmering tension at the end of the first half.
The 63-year-old said: “I asked them if they wanted me to go over and calm things down but they said that might inflame it.”
Last night’s derby saw chants aimed at Jones by United’s support, chants relating to criminal charges which the Wednesday boss was cleared of earlier in his managerial career.
Songs in reference to the death of two Leeds fans in Turkey 12 years ago were also heard in one section of the home end, missiles were traded between rival fans on several occasions.
Jones was scathing in his criticism of the Leeds contingent and also attacked Warnock for sending his players to applaud the away end after the final whistle.
Jones said: “You can’t let them (United’s fans) get away with that. They’re vile animals.
“They need to clean their house and get it in order. They should be banned from every away ground from now until they sort it. That was an absolute disgrace and I thought these days were gone.
“I said to Neil, and I’m not talking behind his back, to then go and send his players to clap them – I’m sorry but that’s not right.
“I really am fuming that he sent his players to clap them. For what? For wrecking a stadium and beating up my goalkeeper? They’re fools, animals – whatever you want to call them.”
Warnock responded by saying: “I think Dave’s just disappointed at not winning the game.
“They’ve not had a very good run and I understand his feelings.
“You do get upset if you don’t get a result and you don’t mention anything that’s detrimental about your own side or your own fans.”