PARIS 1975 — THE FALL OUT — Sheridan Dictates 28/5/75

The 28th May 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Leeds United's date with Bayern Munich in the Parc des Princes, when both sides contested the European Cup Final.

At a time when only the Champions entered the tournament, Leeds United earned its place in European football's most prestigious club competition by winning the First Division title in 1973-74 under the management of Don Revie - his last season in the hot seat, before taking the England job.

It was Jimmy Armfield who steered 'Super Leeds' to Paris having taken over as manager when Brian Clough's unpopular reign came to an end just 44 days after his bewildering appointment.

The Whites successfully defeated FC Zurich, Ujpest Dosza, Anderlecht and Barcelona on the way to Paris and hopes were high that the huge trophy would return with the team to Elland Road.

Having finished ninth in the First Division, Chairman Manny Cussins admitted that Leeds had to win the European Cup and re-enter the competition the following year for the sake of the finances. He indicated that the club had lost £1 million during the season, largely due to the development of Elland Road.

Leeds dominated an encounter which will forever be remembered for a series of controversial moments. Terry Yorath's off-the-ball challenge on Munich's Bjorn Andersson resulted in the Swedish defender leaving the field with a broken leg after just six minutes. After 23 minutes, French referee Michael Kitabdjian waved away Leeds' penalty appeals after Franz Beckenbauer handled in the area and things would only get worse for 'Armfield's Aces'.

Just 11 minutes after getting away with handball, Beckenbauer tripped Allan Clarke in the penalty area with Sniffer bearing down on goal - again, no penalty was awarded. On 63 minutes, with the game still goalless, Billy Bremner was deemed to be stood offside when Peter Lorimer put the ball past Sepp Maier. Kitabdjian signalled a goal, as did the scoreboard but then the referee changed his mind when Beckenbauer pointed out that the linesman had raised a flag.

The decision was too much for some Leeds fans to take and rioting started in areas of the stadium, with seats being ripped out and hurled on to the pitch. Bayern went on to win the game with two goals in the final 20 minutes and when Kitabdjian blew his whistle for the final time, further violence followed.

It was reported that one German media worker lost an eye whilst another suffered a broken arm and trouble continued on the streets of the French capital.

The media, who had written Leeds off after the shock 1973 FA Cup Final defeat to Sunderland, were quick to do so again - unfortunately, this time they were to be proved right.

Manager, Jimmy Armfield admitted afterwards: "We will be relying more on our younger players like Duncan McKenzie and Frankie Gray next season though a number of our older, more established players will have a season in them yet."

Incredibly, Bob Harris in the 'Daily Mirror' reported that the inspirational captain Billy Bremner would be the first out of the door, earmarked by Manchester United. Thankfully that didn't materialise but the departure of his midfield partner Johnny Giles did as the 'General' packed his bags and headed for the Midlands to become player-manager at West Bromwich Albion.

As the dejected players returned to Yorkshire, further stories and allegations of trouble were being brought out in the media. Due to a 48-hour strike by French seamen, around 600 fans had been stranded in Calais and disturbances continued. It was also reported that a British Diplomat, working in France, was so upset at the outcome of the game that he threw his moped through a Chemist's window and the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Alan Pedley widely criticised the behaviour of those responsible for damages to properties and cars and injuries to other people.

Billy Bremner was quick to give his view, from the steps of the Civic Hall:

"No matter what you read in the papers, the majority of supporters were absolutely tremendous. Only a few let us down."

UEFA announced it would meet in its Zurich Headquarters on 8 July to discuss the events in Paris and reports were quick to suggest that in addition to a big fine, Leeds United could face being banned from European competition.

The Club was receiving little sympathy at home and abroad although one of UEFA's top brass, Hungarian Sandor Bares said he would defend Leeds United as the club should not suffer for the consequences of those involved in the troubles:

"I am all against clubs paying the penalty for supporters when they have to play their matches on neutral grounds.

"It would have been a different matter had the trouble taken place at Elland Road. There, Leeds would have been responsible. I'm going to suggest that when British teams are involved in Europe, UEFA and International matches they should be allocated tickets to all parts of the ground, instead of the whole lot of supporters being put into one section.

"That would go a long way to solve the problem. We must tackle this question in a realistic way and this is why I will be firm at the Zurich meeting and state that Leeds must not be banned."

Whilst manager Jimmy Armfield declared his satisfaction that Bares was to be in Leeds' corner during the meeting, it was brought forward to Friday 13 June and the devastating blow would be delivered.

With no press allowed to the meeting, a six man delegation, lead by Italian Dr Alberto Barbe discussed the events of Paris. Reports from Bares and the match referee, Kitabdjian were considered leading to the ban being announced.

It was a ban that was enforced until the end of the 1978-79 season and Manny Cussins admitted he would not consider an appeal until Jimmy Armfield, who had been in Zurich, returned home.

Leeds has been given just four days to appeal and Armfield was less than impressed:

"What upsets me is that as a club we were helpless to control a situation on a foreign ground, yet it's the club, the players and the thousands of innocent, decent fans who get hurt.

"If I thought there was any way in which we could be held responsible, I would say 'Okay, we deserve it and that's it.'

"I can't say at this stage whether we shall appeal, the cost of an international legal battle may be prohibitive."

Leeds did decide to appeal the decision and Armfield flew back out to Zurich on 30 June for the hearing the following day and it would be a worthwhile journey as UEFA halved the ban.

One by one, the squad of superstars, began to break up and by the time the club returned to European football in 1979, only Paul Madeley and Eddie Gray would feature, against Valletta, from those who played in Paris. 

After beating the Maltese minnows 7-0 on aggregate in Round One, Leeds crashed out at the Second stage following a 4-0 aggregate defeat against Romanian outfit Universitatea Craiova. The financial problems had already begun and the club was in decline, culminating in relegation in 1981-82 under Allan Clarke.

The events of Paris and the aftermath continue to be discussed on social media and game after game, Leeds United fans wave their scarves and chant "We are the Champions, Champions of Europe" in demonstration of the performance of Michael Kitabdjian whose decisions robbed Leeds United of the greatest prize in club football.