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.
Leeds legend Kevin Sinfield is set to take on his seventh and final 7 in 7 challenge this month.
The former Leeds Rhinos captain will begin 7 in 7: The Grand Finale next Sunday 27 September.
Wondering what on earth that is? Allow us to fill you in.
Sinfield will be running an ultra-marathon every day for seven days, and this time it's across the north of England including a special stop off right here in Leeds.
Not only that, but the challenge will bring Sinfield back to some of the places that have played a huge part in his rugby league career.
The route will visit all 12 English Betfred Super League grounds, starting at Hull KR before travelling through Yorkshire and eventually crossing the Pennines towards Manchester where Sinfield is from.
Here in Leeds, we can expect Sinfield to arrive at Headingley Stadium on Wednesday 30 September at 11:14am, before leaving towards Pudsey Civic Hall at 11:40am.
The challenge will then finish at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, where Sinfield will arrive ahead of the Super League Grand Final.
Since the first annual challenge back in 2020, Kevin Sinfield and his team have raised over £11 million for the MND community with six charities set to benefit once again from this years fundraising.
It's an amazing challenge for an amazing cause, and you can donate and find out more about the challenge here.
Good luck Kevin and the team, we know you'll smash it.
Fences at Leeds Playhouse – walls, wounds and what we leave behind | Review
Declan Kelly
Leeds Playhouse delivers a powerful story about the walls we build.
August Wilson’s Fences is a powerful and deeply personal family drama, exploring race, fatherhood, ambition and the emotional scars that can be passed from one generation to the next.
At Leeds Playhouse, the strength of the production lies largely with its cast. Ray Fearon gives Troy Maxson a commanding presence, balancing humour and charm with a growing sense of anger and resentment. It is an uncomfortable performance at times, but one that keeps you invested in Troy even when his actions become increasingly difficult to accept.
Madeline Appiah brings real warmth and emotional depth to Rose, while Josh Tedeku captures Cory’s frustration as a young man determined to make his own way rather than inherit his father’s limitations.
Image: Supplied
For me, though, Act 2 is where the production really comes alive.
The first half feels comparatively restrained. That isn't necessarily a criticism of the performances or Wilson's writing, but having experienced previous Headlong productions, I went in expecting a little more theatrical imagination from the staging. There were moments where I felt the production could have pushed the material further visually.
Act 2 begins to deliver that.
The rotating set adds movement and energy, while the bright LED lighting works particularly well with the live music, creating a more heightened atmosphere as the family's tensions reach breaking point. The production suddenly feels more visually ambitious, and the design starts to work hand-in-hand with the emotional journey of the characters.
Images: Supplied
The fence itself is an effective recurring image, initially a practical task, but gradually becoming a representation of Troy's need for control, protection and separation. The more the story unfolds, the more the fence feels like a barrier between Troy and the people he loves.
There is a lot to admire here, particularly in the performances, and Wilson's writing remains as relevant and affecting as ever. However, I couldn't help feeling that some of the theatrical ambition found in Act 2 could have been introduced earlier.
Ultimately, Fences is a moving and thought-provoking evening, with a particularly strong second half. For me, it was Act 2 that turned a solid production into a genuinely memorable one.
Running until 23 September at Leeds Playhouse, get your tickets here.
Danny Jones -
16th September 2025 
