Leeds United and police to review Newcastle fan 'crush'

Leeds United and West Yorkshire Police are to review an incident during which Newcastle United fans say they were involved in a «frightening» crush at Elland Road on Saturday.

Fans were left «terrified» before the Magpies' 1-0 win when four turnstiles — designed to let in almost 2,700 supporters — stopped working.

There were no reported injuries.

But angry witnesses said stewards and police failed to respond to an incident which lasted more than 30 minutes.

One fan, Steve Wallwork, told BBC Sport «somebody could have been badly hurt» and described some stewards as an «absolute disgrace» for laughing at the situation.

Fans were eventually let in when a gate was opened, but many only arrived into the stadium concourse 20 minutes after kick-off and could not get to their correct seats because it was so congested.

Leeds said they acknowledged «complaints raised by some Newcastle supporters regarding issues experienced entering Elland Road on Saturday».

The club «will now work with the Newcastle United Supporters' Trust, West Yorkshire Police and our own safety team to review the issues raised, and ensure we continue to provide a safe environment for everyone attending our stadium».

Newcastle United Supporters' Trust board member Thomas Concannon was at the game and has spoken to more than a dozen witnesses.

He said the situation was a «complete and utter nightmare».

«Where was the response to the faulty turnstiles?» added Concannon. «This should have escalated to the match controller as soon as they realised there was a problem.

»Fans need to know what happened and why — and they deserve an apology. Many fans were left distressed by such a frightening episode."

Wallwork said the delays caused by the broken turnstiles meant the