Update on review into Newcastle United fan distress at Elland Road in January

The review is still underway and NewcastleWorld understands talks have been productive.
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A review into troubling reports of Newcastle United fan experiences when visiting Elland Road in January is still underway.

Newcastle fans were involved in a melee outside the ground before the Premier League match between The Magpies and Leeds United on Saturday, January 22.

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Fans told stories of stewards laughing at fans in distress and having to crawl under stewards' arms just to gain entry to the stadium.

In the days following the match, both West Yorkshire Police and Leeds United acknowledged the incident and launched a review into what happened.

More than a month on and there seemed to be no reports of progress or outcomes of that review.

NewcastleWorld understands that the review is underway and "productive" talks have been held between Leeds United, West Yorkshire Police and the Newcastle United Supporters Trust. Leeds United has also been receptive of changes suggested by the Supporters Trust.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on February 20, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on February 20, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 20: Police on horseback are seen outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Manchester United at Elland Road on February 20, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

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NewcastleWorld asked West Yorkshire Police for a statement four times over the past eight days, but the force refused to provide any updates on the review.

After the incident before the Premier League meeting in January, a Leeds United fan said they were 'not surprised at the shocking scenes' witnessed by Newcastle fans when visiting Yorkshire.

They said: "As a Leeds supporter who sits close to away fans, and enters and exits the stadium next to them, I have to say I am not at all surprised at the shocking scenes at the weekend.

"At the opening game of the season, the club had ALL the home fans from both the West and North stands exiting through one gate behind the North stand.

"The crush was quite frightening.

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"Quite frankly, stewarding and health and safety need shaking up at Elland Road.

"Thank goodness nobody was killed at the weekend."

Newcastle United's predicted starting XI to face Everton. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)Newcastle United's predicted starting XI to face Everton. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Newcastle United's predicted starting XI to face Everton. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The comments came after NewcastleWorld heard from two fans who shared their experiences.

One said: "I was in between two turnstiles and there was a steward holding a button on each of the two turnstiles.

"His arms were outstretched. He hadn't purposefully trapped us in the corner but I couldn't get out without crawling under his arm.

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"I was speaking to someone in the queue and he said, 'as long as nobody gets hurt today it's a win'. I couldn't agree with that more.

"I've done over 100 games and multiple away games all over the country and that was the scariest thing I've ever seen at a football ground."

Another said: "I was there with my wife. I'm more used to it [crowds] from past times when we used to stand, but my wife is much smaller than me and she was getting pushed and shoved and squashed and quite frightened really.

"I think the biggest point that we made afterwards was the lack of accountability from police and stewards. I wouldn't say they turned a blind eye to it but they did absolutely nothing to help the situation.

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"The nearer the front you got the stewards were there but, no word of a lie, they were laughing about it. It made people more upset and angry.

"My wife asked one what he was going to do about it and he just laughed. Literally just laughed."