Stand Up? No Sit Down!

Leeds United have issued a statement regarding supporters in the lower teir of the South Stand and beer drinkers!

It appears that persistant standing may result in sanctions being taken by the club following the intervention of the police.

A statement on the official site, leedsunited.com reads:

Leeds United and West Yorkshire Police are becoming increasingly concerned about the behaviour of a minority of supporters who are occupying the South Stand.

As a result of these concerns and to reduce the conflict caused by persistent standing then the front four rows of seats have been removed from use. The purpose of taking these four rows out of use is to remove the reason given by supporters for persistent standing that the view from these seats is unsatisfactory or obstructed which then has the effect of making others behind them stand.

This should mean that all supporters should be able to enjoy an un-obstructured view of the pitch without standing. An area in front of the wheelchair supporters area has also been removed to improve the view of the pitch.

We are also of the opinion that the consumption of alcohol is having a detrimental effect on the behaviour of supporters inside Elland Road and the aggressive attitude towards Police, Stewards and even our own supporters. Alcohol will not be available from the South Stand refreshment kiosks after 3pm to see if this produces an improvement in co-operation with the reasonable requests of our staff.

The TVs on the concourses in this area will also be off during the game other than for the 10-minute period at either side of half time to encourage supporters to leave the concourse area and take up their seats.

It is our combined aspiration that the behaviour of supporters inside Elland Road should improve and in the event that behaviour in other areas of the stadium fails to improve similar measures to those that are been applied today in the South Stand will be implemented elsewhere.

Please work with us to make Elland Road a place that welcomes all supporters.