FA cut Chelsea ticket allocation for Leeds trip

Chelsea have had their ticket allocation for their Capital-One Cup quarter-final at Elland Road next week cut, from 5000 to 3000, because of fears over crowd trouble.

Chelsea we’re originally allocated 15% according to Football League rules, but we’re cut by 2000 after consultation with the West Yorkshire Police.

It follows a High Court ruling earlier this year when Leeds successfully argued that West Yorkshire Police could not charge them for the match day cost of policing areas around Elland Road that were now owned by the club.

The police responded by highlighting the “large amounts of public money” being spent on policing Leeds matches and warned of the possibility that they would be unable to support the club’s existing arrangements.

The rivalry between Leeds and Chelsea fans dates back to the 1960s but has remained evident until the present day.

Gus Poyet, who worked as assistant to Dennis Wise at Leeds, even admitted that “the fans didn’t want us there because of the rivalry with Chelsea”.

Next week’s match will be the first fixture between the two clubs for almost nine years.

Leeds United have asked for calm in recent weeks, after a fan attacked Chris Kirkland on the pitch, and after abusive chanting was heard from Leeds supporters.

“Our fans have been both the perpetrators and the victims of vile and sick chants, particularly with reference to our two fans who lost their lives in Istanbul 12 years ago, and we don’t believe there is any place for this in football,” said Shaun Harvey, the Leeds chief executive.

“We are asking our fans to show their feelings towards any vile chants they may hear by turning their backs in response rather than react in any other way.”

Is it fair that our allocation has been cut, because of Leeds misbehaving fans? It is unjust that our team will have less support for an away game which if won would seal our spot in a semi-final. Is it just me or is their despicable behaviour being awarded with an advantage over us?

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