Leeds United players 'punched' after Carlisle United penalty shoot-out defeat

United boss criticises policing after pitch invasion...

10 Feb 2010 14:53:00

By James Daly

More On :  Carlisle United, Leeds
FA Cup: Simon Grayson, Manchester United - Leeds (Getty Images)

Leeds United boss Simon Grayson claimed some of his players were attacked during a pitch invasion at Carlisle United on Tuesday evening.

Fans swarmed the pitch after Carlisle United won a penalty shoot-out to reach the final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

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Grayson told BBC Leeds: "When we were coming off three of my players have been caught by punches within the crowd.

"The police have done nothing about getting our players off quicker or protecting them.

"The stewards have done nothing about it and that's a serious issue for me."

"I can understand the exuberance of the fans coming on but there has to be something done to get my players off.

"Three of them have been hit from behind and anything could've happened."

He added: "I'll be taking this further with people involved at a higher level. I'm going to make my feelings well and truly known to the people that matter."

But Cumbrian Police Chief Inspector Mark Pannone, who led the policing operation at the match, reacted angrily to Grayson's comments.

He said in a statement on Carlisle's website: "We are disappointed by Mr Grayson's comments.

"The policing and the stewarding of the match was conducted in a restrained and professional manner.

"The job of the police is to support the stewards, to prevent disorder and respond to incidents as they occur, which is exactly what we did.

"As soon as the pitch invasion commenced we began working with the stewards to clear the pitch and protect the away fans."

The game went to penalties after Leeds won the semi final second-leg 3-2, taking them level on aggregate.

Leeds player Shane Lowry's crucial miss sent Carlisle through with a 6-5 win meaning Carlisle will face Southampton in the final at Wembley on March 28.

In a statement on the club's website, Leeds United chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "It is our current intention to make a formal complaint to the football authorities about the apparent lack of security arrangements in relation to the safety of our players at Carlisle."

Carlisle United's managing director John Nixon added: "We work closely with local police to prevent disorder and react to incidents when they occur.

"We constantly review our processes and procedures after every game and we believe that the policing and stewarding at last night's match was conducted in text book fashion, with stewards and officers working together as they have been trained to bring the pitch invasion under control as quickly as possible."
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