An uncontrolled After punching Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe at Elland Road during the previous season’s game, a Leeds United supporter was sentenced to prison.
David Derbyshire, a Leeds fan, was called “unacceptable” when he entered the playing area on Saturday, May 13, and shoved Howe. Just before the game ended, the 35-year-old was pulled from the field.
A district judge at Leeds Magistrates Court sentenced Derbyshire, of Marley Street, Beeston, to a 12-week incarceration term on Friday, September 8. For six years, he has been prohibited from attending football games. After the event, Leeds United declared he was permanently prohibited from going to Elland Road and Leeds games.
At a hearing on July 21, Derbyshire admitted guilt to charges of unlawfully invading the field of play at a sanctioned football game and assaulting Eddie Howe on May 13 during extra time at Elland Road. The court was informed that in the 93rd minute, Derbyshire left the bench, walked over to the Newcastle dugout, got into a verbal disagreement with Mr. Howe, and then shoved Mr. Howe’s left shoulder.
Security personnel at the club soon detained him, and West Yorkshire Police officers then took him into custody. National television carried live coverage of the tragedy.
“Criminal behavior of this kind is completely unacceptable, particularly when club staff or players are targeted during a large-scale sporting event like this,” said Chief Superintendent Richard Close, who oversaw the policing effort at the game. I am confident that sports fans would join us in denouncing anyone who behaves in such a manner, regardless of their team loyalty.
“We will always take incidents like this very seriously,” Close continued. “We work closely with Leeds United and visiting clubs to fully investigate any offenses and take stern action against those responsible, including seeking football banning orders against them.”
Howe stated following the event that Derbyshire’s actions ought to serve as a wake-up call for those in charge of ensuring the safety of players and personnel. “I genuinely can’t recall whether he pushed me or not, I’ve got no idea,” Howe said. “It’s such an odd thing because you’re concentrating on the game and you don’t expect it to happen. I was approached by him, and he muttered something I can’t repeat before being escorted away.