The FA say they are to investigate the disgusting fan gestures, fighting and offensive chants at Leeds v Man Utd on Sunday afternoon.
As expected, crowd trouble overshadowed the game, and it all started prior kick off with footage going viral showing fans being disorderly with police inside a pub in Leeds.
A video from inside the pub shows supporters inside chanting and lifting up chairs as police tussle with them at the entrance.
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As the torrential rain led to heavy tackles, things became more sour as Anthony Elanga was struck on the head by a coin just a few minutes after coming on when he celebrated United’s third goal.
The FA are now looking at incidents with Fred, Harry Maguire and Paul Pogba as they were also hit by missiles thrown from the crowd.
Unsavoury chants were sung by between both sets of supporters, the home end sang songs about the 1958 Munich air disaster and red flares were chucked on to the pitch by travelling fans who also taunted the Elland Road faithful with Turkish flags a reference to the UEFA Cup semi-final violence in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2000.
Leeds fans were involved in a clash with Galatasaray before the first match of the UEFA Cup semi-final on April 5 2000, which led to the tragic deaths of two Leeds fans who were stabbed to death by Galatasaray supporters.
Following the incident, four men were arrested and charged with their murders. As a result of their deaths, Galatasaray fans were banned from attending the second leg in England.
The scenes on Sunday follow a surge in fan-related violence this season and, with Leeds having already promised an inquiry, the FA has also decided to investigate Sunday’s disorder.
Manchester United fans arrive with a Turkey flag at Elland Road. Shocking behaviour. #lufc #Leeds @WestYorksPolice @LUFC_WYP @PhilHay_ pic.twitter.com/FstGj7GCjz
— SGH (@_S_G_H_) February 20, 2022
“Those things should not be happening,” said Ralf Rangnick, the Manchester United interim manager. “As far as I know there is some investigation from Leeds… Elanga looked well and was happy from scoring his goal. Obviously, things like that shouldn’t happen. When I walked on to the pitch [following some pushing and shoving by players from both sides] it was to try to calm things down.”
Marcelo Bielsa claimed he didn’t witness any of the incidents involving objects being thrown but condemned such actions.
“Any excess other than sporting should not be approved,” he said. “I can’t evaluate what you spoke about because I didn’t see it.”
Songs were also sung about Jimmy Saville and Mason Greenwood, something that was muted by Sky Sports.
Football-related arrests have risen in English football over the first half of the season by around 50 per cent, with increases across offences relating to pyrotechnics, alcohol, thrown missiles, pitch encroachment and hate crime.
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Data collected from the 1st of July to the 31st December 2021 from English domestic competitions only and compared to same six-month period for season 2019-20 – the last one without restrictions pre-pandemic
– 802 football related arrests so far this season – an increase in 47% from 547 arrests in 2019-20 – the highest number of arrests since UKFPU started collating in season 2015-16
– Incidents of disorder reported at almost half (48%) of all games across Premier League, EFL and National League – compared to 34% in season 19-20
– There were 759 reported incidents of disorder – including flares, missiles and hate crime – up 36% from 560 in 19-20
– 210 incidents were involving young supporters under the age of 25, up from 154 in 19-20. The five year average of incidents involving under 25 was 168
– That’s despite fewer games this season (1,581) due to postponements, than in 19-20 (1,670)
– The biggest increase in reported incidents of disorder is in the Championship and National league. Up 58% in Championship and 56% in national league from 2019-20
– Police presence at 66% of football matches across top five English divisions, compared to 46% of games in 19-20.
Twitter users reacted with the FA to investigate disgusting fan gestures, fighting and offensive chants at Leeds v Man Utd…
@adamLynch93: Points deduction. It’s the only answer.
@Aaron_CW23: It’s always Leeds fans
@ga11agbon: Shocking Leeds fans
@mikey11williams: United got fined for players talking to ref 🤷🏼♂️ players getting hit with objects that’s far worse? @FARefereeing @premierleague
@the4thofficialz: Leeds fans seem to have a problem controlling their anger when an opposing team scores in front of them, its all a bit 1980’s along with their singing, all that shit can do one back to the championship
@jimmymcbride1: Munich chants, Turkish flag, Jimmy Saville song, Mason Greenwood song (great comeback by Utd fans 😂) coins being thrown & blokes doing aeroplane gestures, lots to get offended by if your that way inclined, or you can just appreciate a terrific game of football between big rivals
@SakuraLUFC23: Well the stadium had plenty of police filming, hopefully they will catch who done it. It’s going to get to the stage where you will not be permitted to bring anything into the stadium, our fans who threw it will not get the club into more trouble as well.
@AndrewFirth21: Rightly so too……..and a lifetime ban from every ground too in the world
@davidhotham: Good, we dont want them anywhere near Elland Road again!
@michhaelcarrut1: there’s no defending anyone who threw objects at someone, but I cant understand why a player gets a yellow card for taking his shirt off, antagonistic celebration in front of the opponent’s supporters goes unpunished
@ELLIS22SZN: Lifetime ban would be doing them a favour, let them watch their team continue to get battered week in week out
@David_balbi: 100% right to ban them and to be honest we could do without plane gestures, Turkish flags and flares or throwing of flares. Here’s a thought, Just go watch the football and support your team?!
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