Premier League issue statement as Man United vs Leeds United postponement confirmed - YEP 12/9/22

-


Leeds United's fixture with Manchester United this weekend has been postponed due to concerns over the number of officers Greater Manchester Police will have at their disposal

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds’ Premier League fixture with Manchester United this Sunday has been called off, leaving the Whites with an unprecedented 29-day break between first-team games.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last week, matches throughout the United Kingdom were postponed as a mark of respect, including Monday, September 12th’s home game against Nottingham Forest.

Football is preparing to return to normality with fixtures in the Football League set to take place in midweek and at the weekend, however there are doubts over selected fixtures due to logistical and safety concerns.

Preparations are underway for the late monarch’s funeral, to be staged on Monday, September 19 at Westminster Abbey in London, which will require a sizeable police presence as various heads of state and Royal figures pay their respects.

As a result, one of the largest security presences in recent British history is being assembled in the capital this coming weekend.

Specialist officers from across the country will be seconded to Westminster, including those from Greater Manchester Police, leaving the local constabulary understaffed for a fixture the magnitude of Manchester United versus Leeds.

Liverpool’s visit to Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion’s home game with Crystal Palace are also postponed, while the seven remaining fixtures have been given the green light to go ahead.

The Whites’ game is one of the first to fall victim to a further postponement, after Arsenal’s UEFA Europa League tie with PSV Eindhoven scheduled this Thursday was called off due to a lack of available officers to police a 60,000-seater venue.

Old Trafford’s capacity is a likely factor in Greater Manchester Police's decision to request a postponement as thousands of supporters belonging to both teams are expected to descend upon the city, transiting through busy transport hubs.

Last season, five arrests were made for public order offences when Leeds visited the Red Devils last season with footage emerging on social media of clashes between fans in Manchester city centre.

It is unclear when this fixture will be rearranged but as it stands, Leeds' next Premier League outing will take place on October 2, 2022, over four weeks on from the 5-2 defeat to Brentford.

A statement released by the Premier League read: “Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures.

"The Premier League would like to thank the UK Football Policing Unit and other police forces across the country, as well as our broadcast partners, for their support during this process, and will continue to liaise with them ahead of the weekend.

"For the matches being played during the period of National Mourning, tributes will be paid to The Queen at Premier League stadiums. New dates for the postponed matches will be announced in due course.”

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more