Dave Jones: Ban Leeds fans after attack on Chris Kirkland
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Leeds United 1
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Your support makes all the difference.Dave Jones, the Sheffield Wednesday manager, demanded Leeds supporters be banned from away matches after Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was attacked by a spectator towards the end of last night's Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough.
Kirkland was pushed in the face after a Leeds fan evaded police and stewards at the Leppings Lane end as Leeds players celebrated Michael Tonge's 76th-minute equalising goal. The attacker then disappeared into the crowd.
Fans among a contingent of more than 5,000 Leeds supporters had earlier thrown missiles in the direction of stewards and Wednesday fans and sent an advertising board on the second tier of the stand crashing on to seats below. They had also subjected Jones to abusive chants based on the false accusations of child abuse made against him in 1999.
Leeds immediately issued an apology for the behaviour of the attacker and promised to co-operate with any inquiry but Jones branded the Leeds fans as "vile animals" and was also highly critical of Leeds manager Neil Warnock for sending his players to applaud their supporters at the final whistle.
"I've had a go at Neil Warnock," Jones said. "I know they are their fans, but you don't go and clap them after they've done that. It's an absolute disgrace, I thought that had gone out of the game. They are vile animals." Warnock rejected the comments by his opposite number.
Tonge's goal, struck from 25 yards, cancelled out a header just before half-time by Jay Bothroyd as Wednesday's winless run stretched to nine matches.
Sheffield Wednesday (4-5-1): Kirkland; Buxton, Llera, Gardner, Jones; Bothroyd, Corry, Barkley, Semedo, Antonio; O'Grady (Madine, 82). Substitutes not used: Bywater (gk), Taylor, Johnson, Rodri, Pecnik, Mayor. Leeds United (4-4-2): Kenny; Byram, Lees, Pearce, Peltier (Varney, 67); White, Austin (Norris, h-t), Brown, Tonge; Diouf, Becchio. Substitutes not used: Ashdown (gk), Drury, Green, Gray, Hall. Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear)
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