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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

Leeds friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt marred by crowd violence

Leeds United v Eintracht Frankfurt ‘friendly’: fans clash with riot police in Austria.

Leeds United’s friendly against Eintracht Frankfurt in Austria was marred by serious crowd violence, with riot police intervening to separate fighting fans.

Frankfurt supporters are reported to have confronted Leeds fans as the crowd entered the pitch following United’s 2-1 defeat, by which time the players had left the field.

Local police said 25 arrests had been made, 17 from Frankfurt, while three Leeds fans, two police officers and two stewards needed hospital treatment.

The incidents took place after the final whistle.
The incidents took place after the final whistle. Photograph: BPI/Rex Shutterstock

Neil Slinn, 53, from Garforth, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “A few of us went over to applaud the Frankfurt fans. I was going to shake their hands. Then their ultras jumped over the [advertising] boards and started attacking us. Some were wearing balaclavas and we were outnumbered.”

Images of the disorder spread quickly via social media.
Images of the disorder spread quickly via social media. Photograph: BPI/Rex Shutterstock

The Leeds manager Uwe Rösler told ITV: “Our supporters were terrific through the 90 minutes and unfortunately what happened happened, but I didn’t see it.”

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