The Leeds fans who confronted Newcastle manager Eddie Howe during Saturday’s draw 2-2 Premier League has been charged with assault by West Yorkshire Police.
Leeds have banned the supporter for life after he climbed out of the stands at Elland Road and into the technical area where the altercation with Howe took place, before being quickly led away.
West Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the man has been charged with assault and will appear before magistrates in July. A statement from the force read: “Police have charged a man with assault and pitch trespassing following an incident at Elland Road football stadium during Leeds United v Newcastle United football match yesterday. The man has been bailed to appear before a judge on July 21.”
Leeds are facing a Football Association investigation into the incident and Newcastle’s manager has called for increased security around coaching staff and players.
Although two burly security men quickly intervened to drag the perpetrator away, everyone was caught unawares at first. “I’m fine,” Howe said. “But moments like this make you think about the safety of the staff and the players in the Premier League and the Football League. For me it’s crucial. We have to be mindful of that. Safety is so important.”
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Indeed, Howe called for a thorough review of security arrangements at high-profile matches. “Nobody should have to face that when we’re playing a sport we love and trying to entertain the country,” he said. “Nobody should feel like their own personal safety is being violated. That’s something for us to reflect on.
“It was so strange because you don’t expect it to happen. He confronted me and said something that I can’t repeat. I actually don’t remember him pushing me and I don’t know if I had time to be scared because it was over in a flick and he was led away. But it really makes you think ‘what if’. Moments like these should make people look and analyze how we can improve safety for staff and players.”
The Newcastle manager was frustrated that Newcastle, largely thanks to a much improved Leeds performance in Sam Allardcye’s second game in charge, could not win a game with three penalties and a red card.
Leeds left-back Junior Firpo was sent off after a second yellow card late on, Callum Wilson scored two penalties for the visitors, while Patrick Bamford missed his for Leeds.
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“I needed two Valium when we got away to calm me down,” Allardyce joked. “I was nervous beforehand but the lads gave me a bit of hope going forward. In the end the draw was satisfying. I hope the relegation battle goes straight. I hope there is something to play for against Tottenham.
“It’s not in our hands so we have to keep our fingers crossed. All we can do is do what we did today, only better.”
With three games remaining – at home to Brighton and Leicester and away to Chelsea – Newcastle’s Champions League hopes remain in their own hands. “It was a strange game,” Howe said. “At 1-0 down and a penalty conceded you fear the worst, but we managed to take the lead and are ultimately disappointed not to have won.”
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