Leeds United players attacked on field

Leeds United are today planning to report Carlisle United to the Football Association following reports that a number of their players were attacked by Carlisle fans during a pitch invasion following the Northern Area Final of the Johnston’s Paint Trophy between the two sides.

Leeds United claim that Robert Snodgrass, Shane Lowry and one other player were struck after Carlisle had won the Johnston’s Paint Trophy Northern Area Final on penalties. Leeds are blaming poor security arrangements for the post-match incidents. However, both Carlisle United and the Cumbria Police insist the stewarding of the game was "restrained and professional".

Tuesday's match at Brunton was settled by penalties after the two-legged semi-final finished 4-4 on aggregate with Carlisle eventually clinching a place in the final against Southampton by winning the shoot-out 6-5. The result sparked a pitch invasion, during which Leeds claim the players were attacked.

"I can understand the exuberance of the fans coming on, but there has to be something done to get my players off," said Leeds manager Simon Grayson in the immediate aftermath. "Three of them have been hit from behind and anything could've happened."

There are also reports that a blue laser pen was shone in the eyes of the Leeds players as they took their penalties, while Grayson says his goalkeeper, Casper Ankergren, had objects thrown at him during the shoot-out.

The Chief Inspector, Mark Pannone, who led the policing operation at the match, said the situation was dealt with "swiftly and robustly". He said: "We are disappointed by Mr Grayson's comments. The policing and the stewarding of the match was conducted in a restrained and professional manner"

He added that, "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."

Carlisle managing director John Nixon also issued a robust defence of his club's stewards. "We believe that the policing and stewarding at Tuesday's Johnston’s Paint Trophy area final was conducted in textbook fashion, to bring the pitch invasion under control as quickly as possible," he said.

Today Leeds announced on their website that they would be making an official complaint to the Football Association. "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," confirmed Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey.

"It is also our intention to supplement the evidence we already have by having further conversations with both Carlisle United Football Club and the Cumbria Police Force." Harvey added: "We'd like to offer our congratulations to Carlisle United on reaching the final of the Johnston’s Paint Trophy and we will turn our attentions on the field to our remaining 18 league games and our quest for promotion."
Grayson added: "I'm still very unhappy at the lack of protection afforded to my players and I'm pleased that the club will be taking the matter further with the relevant authorities."

It is not the first time in recent years that there have been reports of trouble between the two sides. During the 2007/2008 season the teams met in the play-off semi finals with Leeds clinching victory 3-2 on aggregate. During both games there were claims of violence and abuse towards the away fans.