Ken Bates issues warning to would-be troublemakers ahead of Leeds D-Day

05 May 2010 16:58
Bates issued the warning in an attempt to ensure there is no repeat of recent crowd trouble that followed Sheffield Wednesday's Championship relegation showdown against Crystal Palace and Luton's Conference promotion play-off against York City. [LNB]Leeds will clinch promotion to the Championship should they beat Bristol Rovers at Elland Road on Saturday but with so much at stake for the Yorkshire side emotions are bound to be running high hence Bates' threat to potential wrongdoers. [LNB] Related ArticlesFA probe crowd trouble at Luton and HillsboroughWednesday to help policeMillwall face tense last dayCharlton 1 Leeds 1Everton in for Jermaine BeckfordSport on television'There is a small minority of mindless morons who catch the headlines but we have to make it quite clear the police and the security staff have clear instructions to catch anybody they can who is causing trouble,' Bates said. [LNB]'And of course I would remind them that our CCTV cameras will be in operation filming all events at the ground before, during and after the game. [LNB]'If anybody does anything to bring the club's name into disrepute we will ban them for life and be very tough on all matters because hopefully it can be a very happy day. [LNB]'Whatever the result and I am sure it will be a very positive result let's just remember Leeds' name and reputation and respect it. Please enjoy the game, hopefully enjoy after the game but do not invade the pitch. The players will not be coming out if there is a pitch invasion.' [LNB]A capacity crowd will witness Leeds' final game of the season but Bates is concerned that some Leeds fans in their desperation to witness a potentially momentous occasion have purchased tickets for seats among the visiting supporters. [LNB]Bates added: 'The take-up of tickets has been phenomenal. We managed to get a few more tickets form Bristol Rovers because they did not completely take up their whole allocation by adjusting the segregations arrangements that are required by league rules. [LNB]'But we have a warning. We have heard of a few Leeds fans buying tickets from Bristol to get in the Bristol Rovers end. First of all it is unlawful. It is against the law on segregation. [LNB]'Secondly, it is a possible recipe for problems so let's make it quite clear that any Leeds fans@ if he has a ticket for the Bristol Rovers end he will be apprehended at the game and thrown out. [LNB]'He will not be relocated elsewhere because there will be nowhere else for them to go and the police will be considering action against you because you have clearly broken the law and there is a possibility of you causing problems that we don't want. So if you haven't got a ticket please don't come. There will be no tickets available.' [LNB]

Source: Telegraph