Police have confirmed one man has been charged following an incident after Leeds’ 0-0 Championship Play-off semi-final draw with Norwich City, with another individual bailed.
The stalemate between the two Championship sides on Sunday afternoon was marred by a violent incident after the game, with a Leeds United supporter slashed with a blade.
The fan was understood to have been slashed in the neck area behind the Barclay Stand with claims he’d confronted a group who were taunting the travelling section about two Leeds supporters killed before a European game against Galatasaray 24 years ago.
Leeds released a statement on Monday afternoon to say that Norfolk Constabulary had now charged one man and another has been bailed, with two arrests having been made on Sunday evening.
The statement read: ‘Norfolk Constabulary have today confirmed one man has been charged and a second man has been bailed following an incident involving a Leeds United supporter outside of Carrow Road, after Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off first leg with Norwich City.
‘Leeds United condemn any violence at football matches, which has no place in the game.
‘The club would like to thank the emergency services for their quick response to the supporter and the swift action taken following the incident.
Two people were arrested following the incident, with Norwich assisting police and studying CCTV and other footage to try identify the culprits. Norfolk Police said one of the men is in his late teens and the other man is in his 50s.
‘Both men remain in custody,’ Police said in a statement on Sunday. ‘Officers believe another man was also involved in this afternoon’s incident and enquiries are ongoing to locate him.
‘An investigation has been launched to establish the full circumstances of what happened.’
Though the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, the serious incident overshadowed a tense game between two of the division’s heavyweights with the tie nicely-balanced ahead of the second leg at Elland Road on Thursday.
@DorsetHottub posted a picture on Twitter of a man bleeding from a cut on his neck.
The tweet included the caption: ‘We came out of Carrow Road after the game to Chants of Turks with knives and Galatasaray.. whilst asking the lads why it was said my dad was slashed in the neck with a blade and hit by a full can…’
Late on Sunday evening, the Canaries in a statement said: ‘Norwich City can confirm that a Leeds United supporter received medical treatment following an incident that occurred outside Carrow Road following Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off fixture.
‘The supporter was seen by paramedics at the scene and did not require further medical treatment.
‘Two individuals were arrested by Norfolk Police in connection with the incident. The club will now work closely with the police to fully investigate the incident, understand the facts and take appropriate action.’
Leeds are often subjected to tragedy chanting referencing two fans that were infamously stabbed to death in Istanbul in 2000 before their UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray.
Daniel Farke’s side entered Sunday’s clash full of confidence having done the double over the Canaries this season en-route to narrowly missing out on automatic promotion on the final day.
But at the home of his former club the German watched on as his side were held to a goalless draw.
In an ultimately tentative encounter, the visitors looked to have broken the deadlock after half an hour when Junior Firpo had the ball in the net.
However, the Dominican’s would-be opener was controversially ruled out for offside given against Georgino Rutter.
With neither side able to seize the initiative, Thursday’s second-leg at Elland Road is set to determine a place in the play-off final at Wembley later this month.
