Leeds United have issued a statement following a racist incident witnessed at Elland Road earlier this year.
The Whites were on the losing end of their latest Premier League match over the weekend, and it's safe to say there was even further negativity felt among the fan base following an update on some unsavoury behaviour from last season.
Detailing the incident from back in February online this Tuesday, 16 September), Leeds United have confirmed that the situation has finally been dealt with on their end and is now set to appear in court.
Good to see decisive action from United, who worked with Sunderland supporters and officials to identify the man at the time and see him arrested following the fixture.
Releasing an official club statement detailing the unacceptable incident which took place during the previous campaign in the Championship, Leeds wrote the following...
"Following Leeds United’s 2-1 Sky Bet Championship victory over Sunderland AFC at Elland Road on Monday, 17 February 2025, Ethan Ampadu and Largie Ramazani were subjected to racial abuse from an individual in the away section as they left the pitch.
"Both players have been supported by the club and West Yorkshire (WY) Police individually following the incident.
"West Yorkshire Police have today confirmed a 66-year-old male, from Bishop Auckland, Durham, was arrested on suspicion of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and has now been summoned by postal requisition to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on Friday 17 October.
"Leeds United Football Club, Ethan Ampadu and Largie Ramazani would all like to thank West Yorkshire Police for their support in this matter. There is no room for racism in football or society. The club will be making no further comment."
Well said. Ampadu, who recently celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday, was also one of the first to speak with LUTV on Saturday evening following their 1-0 loss to Fulham.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-quZZ_MKac
The reaction from Leeds supporters on social media has been, as you would expect, at least, with countless commenters condemning the behaviour.
One fan said: "Absolutely vile, no place in the game for this at all. Hopefully, the guy has been banned from ever attending a football match again.
"Such a shame that in 2025 situations like this are still happening, a long way to go before we eradicate this behaviour. Well done to WY Police."
Another added, "Thank you for addressing this publicly. Zero tolerance is the only acceptable approach to racism in football!"
We don't know how many times we have to say it as a nation and as a global, football-loving population, but 'the beautiful game' belongs to everyone. Kick It Out.
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept is on its way.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast is gearing up to bring its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds will combine saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space will feature two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: Supplied
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
To suit different moods and preferences, Kontrast Leeds will include both a social sauna and a silent sauna, giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
Image: Supplied
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
The Leeds site builds on everything the team has learned from Kontrast in Manchester.
Alongside the core sauna, Ice, cafe offering, the new site will include improved facilities, more spacious sauna provision and additional ice baths meaning more room for people to get involved.
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Leeds this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Leeds this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Leeds later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited Leeds, bringing his high-energy hits to O2 Academy back in February.
Now, Smith is ready to tackle an arena crowd and has chosen Leeds First Direct Bank Arena and is expected to raise the roof when 13,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds on Sunday 8 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Danny Jones -
16th September 2025 
