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Leeds and Man Utd slam ‘vile’ chants and gestures; Man City fans boo Premier League anthem

Leeds and Man Utd slam ‘vile’ chants and gestures, while over at Man City , their fans took to boo the Premier League anthem.

Chants were heard throughout the match, especially during the first half, when Leeds supporters were shouting references to the Munich Air Disaster, United fans were also singing “Istanbul” in reference to the two Leeds fans who were murdered in violence just before the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final between Galatasaray and the Whites.

Eight Manchester United players died in the Munich Air Disaster of 1958, with the club commemorating the 65th anniversary last Monday.

Clubs made reference to the tragedies in statements that were posted on their websites and social media channels.

Leeds said in a statement: “Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today’s game. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League, and other authorities on eradicating it from football.”

Joint statement from #MUFC and #LUFC after chants referencing Munich and Istanbul at Elland Road: “Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today’s game.

“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League and other authorities on eradicating it from football.”

Henry Winter wrote: “Leeds United fans embarrassing themselves and their club with disgraceful Munich chants and gestures directed at Manchester United fans. #LEEMUN”

Reporter Alex Grant said: So needless from both sets of fans. Leeds singing about Munich Air Disaster & Mason Greenwood then United responding with chants about Turkey & Jimmy Saville. There’s a good old fashioned rivalry then there’s that. No place for it – action should be taken against all involved!

MarkOgden_ added: “Pretty grim chanting at Leeds. Leeds fans singing about Munich, Man United responding with chants of ‘Istanbul..'”

Graham Smyth posted: “Genuinely couldn’t tell you which side started it but sections of both sets of fans have been at it with the grim chants in the latter stages of the first half. So needless.”

Manchester United beat Leeds 2-0 to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal to five points; Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho scored late goals for Erik ten Hag’s side to seal the victory.

Player ratings

Leeds: Meslier (6), Ayling (7), Koch (6), Wober (5), Firpo (6), McKennie (6), Adams (6), Summerville (7), Harrison (6), Gnonto (6), Bamford (5).

Subs: Rutter (6), Aaronson (n/a), Greenwood (n/a).

Man Utd: De Gea (7), Dalot (6), Maguire (7), Shaw (8), Malacia (6), Fred (8), Sabitzer (7), Rashford (7), Fernandes (7), Sancho (6), Weghorst (6).

Subs: Martinez (6), Garnacho (7), Wan-Bissaka (n/a), Elanga (n/a).

Player of the match: Fred.

Skubala on the search for a new head coach: “It’s helpful for everybody that we know which direction of travel we’re going in. But the players are calm and the club need to make the right decision. It’s a great group of players who’ll leave nothing in the tank.”

Skubala’s reaction to the defeat: “I’m really proud of the group. I thought we had more of the game and tried to win it. I thought we were on top for long periods and created chances. I’m deflated that we haven’t got anything out of it.”

“Top player at the top level can change games. Felt Rashford’s finish was a moment of class.”

On subbing Bamford: “We thought Rutter could get in behind a little bit more but I thought we were comfortable still and would nick things.”

Manchester United captain Harry Maguire, speaking to Sky Sports: “Winning the game is the most important, I’m captain of the team and I put the team miles before myself. Whether I’m playing or not I want the team to win and be successful so it’s been a good season up until now, still a lot of improvement and the big games but it’s nice to come here, get a clean sheet and a victory and it’s a good one for the fans.

“We know coming to Elland Road is going to be a tough place, there’s going to be times where they have a little bit of momentum and it came early in both halves. We had to dig in the second half as well but we focused, we knew that our quality would come through so we knew that we had to battle and fight for every ball and keep the ball out of our net.

“It’s credit to the lads and their spirit. We know how important this victory is to our fans, having not got it in the week. We were disappointed and we knew today was about revenge and we got that.”

Shortly after that game, Man City fans took to boo the Premier League anthem ahead of their meeting with Aston Villa, while displaying some banner around Etihad Stadium, a potential dig at the league.

Chris Bevan for the BBC at the Etihad: “We expected a response from the Manchester City fans today, and we are getting one. It was a lot noisier than usual before kick-off, and the songs kept coming – only pausing for a minute’s applause in tribute of City’s Honorary President Tudor Thomas, who passed away last week at the age of 94.

“It started with loud chants from the home fans of “Glad all over we’ve got Guardiola” as the players emerged from the tunnel. The Villa supporters attempted to respond but were drowned out, with the noise getting louder as Pep himself appeared to take his seat.”

SEE MORE: Pep Guardiola backtracks and calls out other clubs in astonishing interview on Man City FFP breach

Gary Neville claims that the Premier League risks being derided as ‘incompetent’ if they can’t prove allegations Man City are guilty of breaking more than 100 financial rules.

Neville told Sky Sports: ‘He [Pep Guardiola] has gone on the front-foot which is certainly what Manchester City fans would want to see and those above him that have been in charge the last 10 years.

‘They [City] have a major fight and there will be a major loser here. The Premier League going to be found to be incompetent if they can’t land the charges and if they do land the charges it’s going to tarnish the last 10 years for many people, particularly clubs fighting that fight against them.

‘If they broke the rules then they should get the book thrown at them and that will happen, if they haven’t then the Premier League to be fair it has taken them four years.

‘I am a little bit nervous about the Premier League’s defence in the sense that this morning they have had six of the charges changed, it’s come out in the papers they have got the wrong years and that is really sloppy if they have been investigating it for four years.

‘I’m not a fan of FFP anyway, I must admit I want the last 20 years of English football whether it be the links of Putin and Abramovich, the Saudi Arabian takeover, United’s leveraged buyout, all these things need to be corrected moving forward by a new structure in English football.

He added: ‘What City are complaining about is a lack of independence, there is too much conflict from other clubs and I completely agree with them on that.

‘I don’t believe billionaires, Chinese, Abu Dhabi, Americans, should be dictating what happens in English football. We need an independent regulator.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola rejected suggestions that the Premier League giants had committed any wrongdoing in his pre-match press conference prior to today’s game.

‘My first thought is that we are already being condemned,’ he said. ‘What has happened this week is the same as what happened with UEFA. With UEFA we were condemned,’ said Guardiola.

‘We are lucky we live in a marvellous country where we have a society where everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We didn’t have this opportunity. We are already sentenced and “tough”.

‘I’m fully convinced that we will be innocent, and then what will happen next? Will it stop now?’

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