Leeds fan arrested, slapped with lifetime ban for confronting Newcastle manager mid-game
A strange incident unfolded in a Premier League game between Leeds United and Newcastle United on Saturday, as a Leeds fan approached Newcastle manager Eddie Howe before eventually getting arrested and banned from the stadium.
The incident happened in stoppage time, according to the Associated Press, and the Leeds fan jumped onto the field at Elland Road, grabbed Howe’s arm and then shoved him around the chest area — prompting security to race toward the confrontation that Howe said surprised him.
In his postgame press conference, Howe said that he couldn’t remember whether the fan shoved him, though he recalled hearing words “that I can’t repeat.”
Instead, Howe called for a reflection on security at the Premier League games for staff and players.
“No one should have to face that, playing a sport they love and trying to entertain the country,” Howe said in his postgame interview. “No one should have to feel their own personal safety is violated, so it’s certainly something us to reflect on.”
Leeds put out a statement postgame confirming the incident and acknowledging that “an arrest has been made and a lifetime ban has also been issued,” according to ESPN.
“I don’t know if I had time to be fearful, to be honest, because it was over in a flash,” Howe said postgame. “But certainly it makes you think what ifs, and I think it’s moments like this that should hopefully make people think and analyze things and see how we can improve safety for, as I said, staff and players.”
It marked a frightening end to the 2-2 draw that saw Newcastle erase a 1-0 deficit to earn a point against Leeds, which has struggled but earned a point for the second time in four Premier League matches.
Leeds scored an early goal in the seventh minute, but Newcastle responded with two goals and built a second-half lead that lasted until Rasmus Kristensen scored in the 79th minute.
Leeds currently sit in 18th place and in the relegation zone.
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