Leeds

Why Leeds United’s game is postponed but others aren’t this weekend

As it turns out, the matter is more to do with policing.

The Hoot The Hoot - 13th September 2022

This comes after it was announced that 70% of Premier League matches will be played this weekend.

Leeds United’s away Premier League game against old rivals Manchester United, due to take place at Old Trafford on Sunday 18 September 2022 has been postponed, reports The Manc.

Many football fans have been left scratching their heads after three out of the ten Premier League matches this weekend have once again been postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II - one of which is Leeds United's away game against Manchester United, originally scheduled for Sunday 18 September.

It was fairly unsurprising that last weekend's raft of fixtures were cancelled following the Queen's passing on Thursday, but punters have now been left confused by this latest decision that also sees Liverpool's trip to Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion's match against Crystal Palace postponed.

However, although most were quick to assume that the FA are choosing to prolong their period of respect, this rationale makes little sense when just six teams have been impacted.

As it turns out, the matter is more to do with policing.

https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1569363071528828928?s=20&t=fowVGXaNTBwwHNM32aiMrQ

Reduced police resource

As explained in the Prem's full statement, despite seven out of ten games going ahead as normal: "Following extensive consultation with clubs, police, local Safety Advisory Groups and other relevant authorities, there was no other option but to postpone the three fixtures."

Put simply, Premier League matches are classified as Category A, B or C in advance of every season: A being the lowest risk of fan disorder and C the highest. Beyond that there is also ER (enhanced resources), which are reserved for the biggest of derbies when trouble is expected and more than 500 local officers are often deployed.

Both Leeds v Manchester United (a historic rivalry) and Liverpool v Chelsea have been classified as Category A this year; meanwhile, Brighton's derby against Palace on Saturday was already in doubt following rail strikes and has now faced the chop due to further exceptional circumstances surrounding the Queen's funeral.

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As a result of Monday's state funeral, hundreds of police are set to be reassigned to London and as a retired chief superintendent turned lecturer told The Athletic, not only will these officers 'be there for as long as the Met think they’re needed' but cities are also planning their own commemorations, obviously creating a 'second draw on resources'.

While the organisation goes on to thank the UK Football Policing Unit, local police forces and broadcast partners for liaising with them during this difficult time, fans of the affected clubs have been less than impressed by the decision.

https://twitter.com/stan_chow/status/1569366707323428864?s=20&t=SIs2LMUfiP75jil-sd0Dww
https://twitter.com/NurelAmin/status/1569394567606140930?s=20&t=rUMC5jBAJ6GBje2MYL1a0w

Some have even posed the possibility of playing the games behind closed doors - another suggestion which hasn't gone down well:

https://twitter.com/SmnLlyd5/status/1569351750431162377?s=20&t=SIs2LMUfiP75jil-sd0Dww

Notwithstanding any further unseen developments, the remainder of Friday, Saturday and Sunday's games are due to go ahead, with kick-off being moved for the likes of Brentford v Arsenal and Everton v West Ham.

It is worth noting, however, that grounds still hosting matches this weekend are still likely to see a reduced police presence due to the surrounding events, leading many to argue that if further postponement was necessary then it should be a catch-all decision or not at all.

Featured Image - Leeds United

Leeds

Major DJ has set cancelled as overcrowding concerns continue at Leeds Festival

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

After closing for the entire second day, The Warehouse stage at Leeds Festival has once again been forced to evacuate.

One of the most anticipated dance acts of the day has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns just moments before the set.

Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa was due to take to The Warehouse stage today at 1:30pm, but the set was cancelled due to overcrowding.

It's not the first time this has happened at Leeds Festival 2026, as yesterday Omar+'s set was cancelled due to the same issue and the stage was subsequently closed for the rest of the day.

The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.

Announcing the news to Instagram, Silva Bumpa said: "So so sorry Leeds Fest but due to over crowding my set was cancelled last min I was just behind the stage and got told right before such a massive shame."

Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading on Friday afternoon, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.

"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."

It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.

If yesterday is anything to go by, we wouldn't be surprised if The Warehouse was closed for the rest of the day which means anticipated sets from Rossi and Mall Grab will also be cancelled.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

‘Actually lost for words’ – huge artist speaks out as Leeds Festival set is cancelled due to overcrowding

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

For the second day in a row, a huge set has been cancelled due to overcrowding at Reading and Leeds Festival.

Day two of the festival and there's some pretty disappointed ravers hanging their head as one of the biggest dance music sets of the day is cancelled.

Omar+, a rising British electronic DJ and producer, was due to play on the brand-new Warehouse stage at Reading yesterday and Leeds today.

Yesterday's set was cancelled last minute due to overcrowding, and low and behold the same has happened here in Leeds.

Announcing the sad news to his story, Omar+ said "Actually lost for words. My Leeds set has been cancelled due to overcrowding."

He then went on to show a screenshot of a text message, reading: "I've never seen something like this in my entire life where two shows back to back are cancelled due to overcrowding."

The Warehouse stage is completely new for this year, and supposedly is designed specifically for dance music...which is quite ironic.

Prospa, another prominent DJ who's set was cancelled at Reading yesterday, spoke up on the situation: "We are disappointed in The Warehouse stage closure at Reading Festival. We were told it wasn't possible to play whilst on the way. This was due to too many people outside the stage.

"We have seen this happen before at larger festivals in the UK. It's time to double the capacity of tents or put dance music on the main stage."

It comes after another dance stage, LS23, was closed mid-set last night due to a health and safety hazard when all the lights suddenly switched off and ravers were forced to evacuate.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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