Surprising news: Police are on high alert as a possible situation involving Leeds United and Manchester United at Wembley emerges.
According to reports, the police are on high alert due to the possibility of both Leeds United and Manchester United supporters converging on London over the same weekend. This situation arises because the FA Cup final and Championship play-off final are scheduled less than 24 hours apart.
Manchester United has secured their place in the FA Cup final and will face Manchester City on Saturday, May 25, a rematch of last year’s final. Many are expected to stay overnight in London due to the long journey and limited accommodation, with most hotels already fully booked for Saturday.
Thousands of Leeds fans might also make their way to London, as Daniel Farke’s team is now favored to reach the play-off final on Sunday. This sets up the potential for fans of these fierce rivals to mix on Sunday, prompting authorities to develop contingency plans for any potential clashes. Safety meetings have reportedly discussed this scenario, anticipating an increase in police presence and security measures for what is a bank holiday weekend.
To mitigate the risk of clashes, English Football League (EFL) officials proposed a later kick-off time for the play-off final, hoping it would allow more time for Manchester United fans to leave before Leeds fans arrive. However, the Championship clash is set for 3 pm, exactly 24 hours after the FA Cup final.
Despite spending much of the last two decades in different leagues, Leeds and Manchester United maintain a fierce rivalry. Previous encounters have seen violent clashes, particularly during an August 2021 match in Manchester. The prospect of such heightened tensions during finals for both sides raises concerns. Should supporters of both teams converge on London simultaneously, additional police and heightened security measures at bars and hotels are likely.
Before contemplating trips to Wembley, Leeds must first overcome Norwich. Although the first leg ended in a hard-fought 0-0 draw, Farke’s team showed promise. Victory on Thursday will set up a play-off final against either Southampton or West Brom, who are also level after their first-leg match.
