Leeds United fans celebrate Premier League promotion at non-socially distant street party
Promoting infection? Leeds United fans celebrate elevation to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years by throwing social distancing out the window to hug and dance at street party in the city
- Thousands of fans were out celebrating in Millennium Square, Leeds, after club beat Derby County 3-1
- One fan broke his leg after falling from a lamppost as crowds ignored social distancing during the celebration
- Crowds were packed together as supporters drank, danced and sang, two days after securing promotion
- The Yorkshire club’s owner Andrea Radrizzani has urged fans to celebrate safely by staying at home for now
Published: 15:48 EDT, 19 July 2020 | Updated: 16:57 EDT, 19 July 2020
Thousands of Leeds United fans packed into the city centre this afternoon, leaving little room for social distancing as they celebrated promotion to the Premier League after a 16 year absence.
West Yorkshire Police was forced to arrest some fans as supporters packed close together, chanting songs and letting off flares in Millennium Square, following a 3-1 win over Derby County.
The crowd gathered just a short walk from Leeds General Infirmary, where NHS staff have been battling the coronavirus pandemic for months.
One celebrating fan had to be rushed to the hospital after he fell from a lamp post and broke his leg amid the celebrations.
Thousands of Leeds United fans flouted social distancing rules as they celebrated promotion to the Premier League today
Fans descended on the city centre after heading to Elland Road, the club’s home ground, yesterday to celebrate promotion.
Footage from the city shows supporters ignoring one-metre distancing rules as they drink from cans and lift one another up, letting off blue and yellow flares.
Leeds-born IBF featherweight boxing champion Josh Warrington was also spotted among the crowd of fans.
Leeds were promoted to the Premier League on Friday, but today’s result against Derby gave fans further cause to celebrate in Millennium Square
Thousands of Leeds fans were packed together in Millennium Square outside the city’s museum, with supporters climbing walls and lampposts
Fans were seen hugging and picking one another up as they let off flares in Millennium Square, with little regard for social distancing
One fan was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken leg after falling from a lamppost during today’s celebrations in Leeds
Promotion means Leeds United will return to the Premier League after a 16 year absence, which at one point saw them playing in the third tier of English football
One local commented on Twitter: ‘I live in Leeds and these images of fans celebrating in Millennium Square make me worried that we will be following Leicester for lockdown in a couple of weeks.’
MailOnline has approached West Yorkshire Police for a comment.
A huge clean up operation was underway on Saturday morning after promotion was secured the previous night.
Several cars were damaged and litter was strewn across the street following celebrations.
Club owner Andrea Radrizzani told fans: ‘It is vitally important we stay safe and keep those around us safe too by staying at home’
Fans were seen drinking and singing close to one another in Millennium Square on Sunday, despite the club’s owner urging them to celebrate safely
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani had asked fans to be mindful of Covid-19 while celebrating.
He said: ‘The last four months have been incredibly difficult for everyone around the world, but I believe the way our communities have pulled together has been amazing – especially here in Yorkshire where huge progress has been made due to our values and collective spirit.
‘Thanks to the tremendous work of healthcare teams and key workers, and the sacrifices we have all made, the situation has improved.’
‘However, my message to you all is that the fight against Covid-19 is not yet over and we must continue to be sensible. I know many of you are desperate to show our boys support during this important week – but the health and well-being of our loved ones in our community must be our top priority.
Fans were seen clambering on to the Leeds City Museum building as they drank and ignored social distancing rules
Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani had asked fans to be mindful of Covid-19 while celebrating promotion, but crowds were packed into Millennium Square tightly this afternoon
‘I have always felt that football means little without the presence of fans, and now I know that for sure. However, it is vitally important we stay safe and keep those around us safe too by staying at home.’
Scenes today were reminiscent of crowds in Liverpool last month after the Reds won their first Premier League title.
Merseyside Police sealed off roads near Anfield stadium as they tried to disperse thousands of Liverpool fans who gathered outside the ground.
Thousands of fans flocked to Anfield to let off flares, chant and celebrate the title win, while ignoring social distancing measures.
Some 5,000 fans managed to surround the stadium before police sealed off roads leading to it, though they made no move to break up the party.
Police FINALLY shut down illegal rave after more than FIFTEEN HOURS of wild partying in a field outside Bath that kept residents awake throughout Saturday night
One arrest has been made and vehicles, a generator and other equipment seized after police dispersed an all-night illegal rave attended by 3,000 people near Bath.
Avon and Somerset Police said that the first reports of the unlicensed music event were made around 11.20pm on Saturday, but it was not shut down until after 4pm the following afternoon.
After officers arrived at the former Charmy Down airfield, in Upper Swainswick, they immediately summoned back up due to the overwhelming numbers.
Dedicated patrols on duty to respond to unlicensed music events were redeployed to the incident and the approach roads closed.
The music was eventually turned off by 1pm on Sunday at the former Charmy Down airfield, in Upper Swainswick and the majority of the site closed by 4pm, police said. But officers then had to deal with a group trying to continue the event in a neighbouring field, it added.
Police move partygoers on from an illegal rave near Bath that started on Saturday and went all through the night
The scene in Charmy Down this morning, hours after the illegal rave started three miles from the city of Bath
Thousands packed into the field close to bath to attend the illegal rave as Britain battles coronavirus
But the force said people were abandoning their vehicles and walking to the site, and it was still turning people away after dawn on Sunday.
Avon and Somerset Police said the risks to public safety of closing an event attended by more than 3,000 people in dark and wet conditions were too great with resources already dealing with other ‘significant incidents’ across the force area, including 120 999 calls.
The music was eventually turned off by 1pm on Sunday and the majority of the site closed by 4pm, police said.
But officers then had to deal with a group trying to continue the event in a neighbouring field, it added.
One person was arrested for failing to comply with a notice to quit the land and five vehicles, a generator and other equipment seized, police said.
An investigation is under way to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible for the event.
Officers escort party-goers from a field on Saturday afternoon after more than half a day of raving
An investigation is under way to identify and take appropriate action against those responsible for the event (pictured: police moving revellers on today)
Police vans arrive to move on the remaining revellers following more than 15 hours of raving in a field outside Bath
Angry residents took to social media to express their fury at the illegal gathering.
Just after 12.30pm on Sunday, one wrote: ‘Cars and people still turning up to the rave at Charmydown police are just watching them go in.
‘Please do something the music has been blasting since midnight!’
A second said: ‘Is there a rave going on in Bath? Ridiculously loud bassline carrying across the city, apparently it’s been going on since 5am at least. It’s Sunday morning.’
While a third asked: ‘How can it be illegal, condemned by the police and yet… still growing on?’
Tanya Rich, who lives in Weston in Bath, said the music from the rave, held close to the A46, woke her up at 5am.
Huge crowds ignored social distancing rules to descend on a beauty spot near Bath, Somerset, overnight. Pictured is the rave still going on this afternoon
Police officers blocked off the approach to the field, though revellers simply parked their cars and walked to the rave instead
Footage taken this afternoon shows a huge line of cars parked near the field where the rave is taking place
She told the BBC: ‘I heard this thumping sound. I thought someone had their car stereo on loud and it would stop, but it kept going
‘I went on my local Facebook group and everyone was talking about it and complaining.
‘It’s so loud. You couldn’t have a window open.’
Another local said: ‘Residents woke up to loud, thumping music around 5am, didn’t know what it was. Usually the only sound in Bath on a Sunday morning is church bells. Swainswick valley is a stunning beauty sport, popular with walkers.
‘A beautiful little hamlet nestled just behind the hills of Lansdown in the valley, a bit like the Sound of Music.’
Though the gathering began late last night, locals reported that it was still growing around lunchtime today.
Police confirmed that officers have closed off the approach to the area, though revellers are just abandoning their cars and walking to the rave.
Angry residents took to social media to express their horror and fury at the illegal gathering
Though the gathering began late last night, locals reported that it was still growing around lunchtime today
Chief Superintendent Ian Wylie said that the impact of the rave was felt by other emergency services, with around eight 999 calls to the ambulance service linked to the event.
He added: ‘We’re sorry for the disruption caused to so many residents. It’s frustrating that we are having to pull officers away from our 999 response to deal with the selfish actions of the organisers of this event and those attending it.
‘They knew full well the disruption this would cause and the ongoing risk to public health of large gatherings due to Covid-19.
‘We brought officers in from their rest days and called on support from neighbouring forces to close down this event.’
