POCKETS OF MANCHESTER UNITED and Leeds United supporters were branded as “disgusting” after the clubs’ fiery rivalry was renewed in violent circumstances in Elland Road on Tuesday.
Manchester United progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over their old enemy, but the action on the pitch was overshadowed by disorder outside the ground and in the stands.
Two West Yorkshire police officers were injured, one with a broken leg, and 21 arrests were made as trouble flared between the two sets of supporters.
Advertisement
“There were pockets of disorder outside the ground prior to the match, with officers coming under missile attack,” a police spokesman told the Telegraph.
A large number of Leeds supporters threw missiles at officers for a sustained period.
Inside the stadium, a “Istanbul” banner, mocking the death of two Leeds supporters in Turkey in 2000, was unfurled in the away end.
In response, a section of the home support taunted United fans with chants of “Munich,” a reference to the tragic 1958 air disaster in which eight United players died.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Malcolm Clarke of the Football Supporters’ Federation hit out at the minority of fans involved in the chanting.
“This crosses the line. It’s not acceptable for supporters to celebrate or mock the death of another supporter,” Clarke said.
Banners or songs or chants, it’s all the same. It’s all disgusting stuff. I am sure the vast majority of fans of both clubs would agree with this.
'Disgusting' chants and violence mar United's Carling Cup win
POCKETS OF MANCHESTER UNITED and Leeds United supporters were branded as “disgusting” after the clubs’ fiery rivalry was renewed in violent circumstances in Elland Road on Tuesday.
Manchester United progressed to the fourth round of the Carling Cup with a 3-1 win over their old enemy, but the action on the pitch was overshadowed by disorder outside the ground and in the stands.
Two West Yorkshire police officers were injured, one with a broken leg, and 21 arrests were made as trouble flared between the two sets of supporters.
“There were pockets of disorder outside the ground prior to the match, with officers coming under missile attack,” a police spokesman told the Telegraph.
Inside the stadium, a “Istanbul” banner, mocking the death of two Leeds supporters in Turkey in 2000, was unfurled in the away end.
In response, a section of the home support taunted United fans with chants of “Munich,” a reference to the tragic 1958 air disaster in which eight United players died.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Malcolm Clarke of the Football Supporters’ Federation hit out at the minority of fans involved in the chanting.
“This crosses the line. It’s not acceptable for supporters to celebrate or mock the death of another supporter,” Clarke said.
Hargreaves makes case for big role while Mancini defends omission
Horan: Ireland beat Wallabies by faking injuries
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Carling Cup Elland Road Football Supporters' Federation Istanbul Chants Munich Chants Leeds United Manchester United Trouble West Yorkshire Police