FA reveal Sheffield United charges after Chris Wilder shows true colours in Leeds United race — Leeds Live 17/4/26

The latest Leeds United news as the Whites win over Preston, coupled with Sheffield United's loss against Plymouth moved Daniel Farke's side five points clear of third place.

The FA have confirmed that they have charged Leeds United’s promotion rivals Sheffield United with misconduct following a clash after the Championship game against Plymouth Argyle.

The Blades fell to a 2-1 defeat in the game, thanks to late goals for Plymouth from Ryan Hardie and Muhamed Tijani. The full-time whistle saw a clash which involved players of both teams as well as members of the backroom staff.

The defeat, along with Leeds’ 2-1 win over Preston North End allowed the Whites to open up a five point gap over the Blades who sit in third place in the table. Both sides are back in action tomorrow (Friday) afternoon with Sheffield United hosting Cardiff City (5.30pm kick-off) and Leeds travelling to take on Oxford United.

Ahead of the games, the FA have now confirmed that Sheffield United, along with Plymouth, have been charged in relation to the incident after the full-time whistle.

A statement from the FA read: “Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield United have been charged following the mass confrontation at their EFL Championship fixture on Saturday, 12 April. It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area staff didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the tunnel area after the final whistle. Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield United have to provide their respective responses by Wednesday, 23 April.”

The incident started when Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder approached Plymouth players Mustapha Bundu and Darko Gyabi as they walked down the tunnel. Argyle boss Miron Muslic however played down the situation and revealed a conversation with Wilder after the incident.

"I think [it was] nothing serious. A lot of emotions, but I think nobody crossed the line," he told BBC Radio Devon .

"I had a good conversation with Chris Wilder and also with the referees. I think everything is under control, the usual emotions for good and for bad, but nothing to mention."

Wilder himself also spoke about the incident ahead of their clash with Cardiff, telling the Star at his pre-match press conference: "As you will expect with me, I'll tell you exactly where it was at. I went onto the pitch at the end and gathered the players.

"I thought it was important. It wasn't a Phil Brown moment, as Sky put on and as people like to do, sensationalise everything. It was a calm chat with the players to say we have to take responsibility for this performance and three games where we've turned a really good position into a not-so-good one..."

 

“...As we walked off there were some verbals with a couple of players and then there are about 70 people going into a tight tunnel area,” Wilder claimed. “There were verbals and stuff, but we've responded to the FA in terms of observations, and I’ve got no issues with Plymouth Argyle. It was two teams fighting different battles, an emotional game.

“I went to speak to their manager, absolutely no issue between the managers and staff. The ref said he’d possibly have to stick it in his report but as far as he was concerned there was nothing in it, and the same with his assessor. That's where it was at and as far as I'm concerned, we move on.

“I told the players, we need to clear our heads over the weekend and have a good week. There'll be a lot of people talking about our season being done and dusted, but it's not. We’ve put ourselves in a not-great position and we've given up an advantage. But that's all we've done, and we need to be positive.”