Officers shocked by ‘appalling’ football violence

The disorder around Elland Road involving Manchester United and Leeds United fans was “sheer wanton violence”, said one senior officer.

Two police officers were injured, including a sergeant who suffered a badly broken leg and a dislocated ankle when he was knocked to the ground under the hooves of a police horse.

A member of the public was also knocked unconscious.

Officers said they were shocked by the severity of the violence, the large numbers involved and the range of ages of those throwing missiles and punches.

Those involved ranged in age from around 15 to 55 and included men with their children.

The violence happened before and after the Carling Cup tie which Manchester United won 3-0.

West Yorkshire Police said last night they were launching a major investigation to trace those involved.

So far 24 arrests have been made, mostly for public order offences.

Superintendent Vernon Francis said officers were surprised at how “ferocious” the violence was.

He said yesterday: “It’s very clear that a number of people came to last night’s match intent on violence.

“This has nothing to with rivalry between fans. Officers and members of the public came under missile attack before and after the game, by people who had turned up with one thing on their mind. The behaviour of some of those inside the stadium during the match was disgraceful.

“We have now asked Leeds United to cooperate with us as we investigate the behaviour of people before, during and after the match.”

Police are now studying hundreds of hours of CCTV images and are expected to publish photos of suspects within the next few weeks.

Mr Francis added: “Our officers witnessed some appalling behaviour. It was shocking to see people of all ages taking part in the violence, some who had young children there with them. It’s not the sort of behaviour genuine fans or the people of Leeds as a whole want to see.

“It’s simply not acceptable and anyone who was involved, wherever in the country they live, can expect a knock at the door.

“We will exhaust every avenue to identify these people and will look at bring them before the courts and using other powers such as Football Banning Orders against them”

During the game a smoke bomb was discharged in the away section and a Galatasary flag was displayed – a reference to the murder of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000.