Leeds Utd sue police amid threat to cancel matches

The club was threatened with either having to cancel matches or hold them behind closed doors if police were not present in an extended area around the club, it is alleged.

According to a High Court writ filed by the club, West Yorkshire Police made profits from the cost of policing matches at Elland Road, and the club contends it was not entitled to do so,

Now Leeds United is seeking legal declarations that the police were not entitled to charge for policing over a larger area in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, and that it is entitled to the return of overpaid money.

The club also seeks a declaration that if the police have charged more than the direct costs of deploying officers, the police are required to repay this, with interest.

Leeds United says West Yorkshire Police have charged for policing on land around the stadium which is neither occupied or controlled by the club.

Matches can only be played once a safety certificate has been granted to chief executive Shaun Harvey by the local council, and this requires police to attend.

Before the start of the 2009 season, West Yorkshire Police wanted to extend the area where it could charge for police officers, taking the footprint into nearby roads, cars parks, and a bus station.

Leeds United did not agree with this, arguing police could only charge for officers on land it owns or controls.

But on August 4 2009 it was made clear that unless agreement was reached with police, for them to police a larger area, the council would serve a prohibition notice, saying no police would be present and therefore the safety certificate conditions would not be met, it is alleged.

The club contends that policing in the areas around the club is ordinary policing which should not be charged for, rather than special police services, which can be charged for, and is asking the High Court to rule on the issues.