Leeds United was fined £40,000 for the incident at Elland Road, where a fan confronted Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe in the away technical area. Of that £20,000, Leeds United must pay the punishment until the conclusion of the next season.
David Derbyshire was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison last month for his attack during Leeds and Newcastle’s Premier League match in May of this year. Following that, Leeds was fined £40,000 by the Independent Regulatory Commission. Of that amount, £20,000 must be paid if the club violates regulation E21 (or its equivalent) regarding inappropriate behaviour by spectators at football games before the 2024–2025 season ends.
“A statement from the FA on Monday stated that Leeds United had acknowledged their failure to make sure that their fans and/or spectators (and anyone posing as fans or followers) conduct themselves in an orderly manner and don’t use words or behaviour which are improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, insulting, or provocative.”
The Football Association sought for a harsher penalty, but the Commission determined that Leeds’ responsibility for the event was “low” in addition to mitigating circumstances, according to the written reasons. Leeds promptly acknowledged the accusation, collaborated with the Football Association, and conveyed regret for the occurrence via an apology.
Leeds’ “preparation was meticulous and excellent, and it is regrettable…that one small area of weakness was exploited by a lone individual intent, for unknown, inexplicable, and inexcusable reasons, from getting into the technical area,” according to the Commission.
Leeds received a reprimand because the Elland Road CCTV system was unable to determine Derbyshire’s point of entry into the away dugout’s technical area.
The FA stated: “The club is unable to determine the area of vulnerability since they are unable to indicate where [the spectator] entered the field of play from. The ease with which [the spectator] was able to enter the playing field implies that there is still a substantial chance that the West Stand may invade again in the future.
“It is evident that the CCTV system is insufficient for a Premier League team with a 37,000-seat stadium. According to the club’s statement, there are only two cameras in the West Stand and they neglected to capture the most susceptible location, which is the technical area where the match officials and coaching staff were stationed. Due to the holes in the CCTV surveillance, the control room was unable to identify [the Spectator] accessing the playing field, thus negating the need of the safety net in the case of a stewarding failure
Furthermore, The FA recommended to the Commission that this specific incidence fell under either “category 4 (negligence simpliciter)” or “category 3 (gross negligence).”
Leeds claimed before the Commission that they wanted to improve the current CCTV system but were unable to do so for budgetary reasons related to their drop out of the premier league. Additionally, the club has received a warning on its future behaviour.
Derbyshire was apprehended by West Yorkshire Police, and Leeds promptly banned him for life. “Leeds United can confirm that an arrest has been made and a lifetime ban has also been issued following an incident at our Premier League match against Newcastle United today,” the club said in a statement.
Leeds has the option, in accordance with Disciplinary Regulations, to appeal the Commission’s ruling on behalf of the club.
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