Fans urged to keep off Elland Road pitch

The Football Association are currently investigating pitch invasions and crowd trouble that marred the end of games last weekend involving Sheffield Wednesday and York City.

There is still the possibility that Carlisle United will be punished by the FA after three Leeds players were allegedly assaulted by fans during a pitch invasion at the end of a Johnstone's Paint Trophy game three months ago.

Although Leeds will secure promotion if they beat Bristol Rovers on Saturday, Grayson has issued a plea to the club's supporters to stay off the field at the final whistle.

The Whites have spent the last three seasons in League One and the game is a 40,000 sell-out as the club stands on the brink of a return to the Championship.

Grayson said: "It promises to be a big afternoon at Elland Road and we're all hoping it will be a successful one for everyone. If we can get the result we want, we are hoping it will be a celebration, but we would ask our fans to please stay off the pitch at the end of the game.

"We have seen a number of pitch invasions already this season, some in celebration and some not," he added. "As manager, the safety of the players is obviously a major talking point at the moment and we don't want to add any more to that debate at Elland Road."

A spokesman for the FA confirmed last night that the Carlisle incidents are still the subject of scrutiny but was unable to put a timescale on any outcome.

"We are still in communication with the two clubs and Carlisle have published an appeal on their website for information about the young offender who barged into a Leeds player on the pitch," he said. "We are awaiting the outcome of that investigation."

Chairman Ken Bates, meanwhile, is 'confident' that Leeds will pick up the three points they need this weekend to guarantee second spot in the table behind champions Norwich City.

However, Swindon Town, Millwall, Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town are all waiting to pounce should Leeds slip.

"You have to say that promotion out of League One this season is more exciting than either the Championship or the Premiership," said Bates. "Apart from Norwich, who started dreadfully then had a great run and are deservedly champions, it's been very much dog eat dog over the past few months and no real pattern has emerged.

"I'm excited, confident, and looking forward to what will be a tremendous atmosphere," he added. "Everyone is up for it and ready to go and, if we win, we're promoted, that's the end of it."

Despite the mood of cautious optimism at Elland Road, Leeds have released details of ticketing arrangements for the play-off semi-finals should they be involved.

The first legs of both games will take place on May 14 and 15 with the second legs on May 17 and 18.

Tickets will go on sale to season ticket holders and members immediately after Saturday's game but online only. All other sales channels will be available from Monday and tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, May 12.