Credit: Sky Sports Football

Keith Hackett

Tue 25 February 2025 17:10, UK

Leeds United are likely to be in contact with The FA following what happened in their 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday, Keith Hackett says.

For the second consecutive match, the Whites came from behind for a huge three points with late goals from Junior Firpo, Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe.

After Tanaka put Leeds ahead in the 88th minute, wild scenes ensued at Bramall Lane, with away supporters making their way out of the stands to celebrate.

Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, the ex-FIFA and PGMOL chief admitted that there should be some contact at Elland Road in the coming days.

“The celebration of goals is of course a major part of football,” Hackett said.

“It is evident that The FA are concerned that players running off the field joined by substitutes, which creates a dangerous potential of a crowd surge.

“Therefore I suspect that they will get into correspondence with Leeds United to express their concerns.

“No one wants to suppress goal celebration but crowd safety must take precedence.”

Premier League calling at Leeds United

If anyone deserves the riches of the Premier League, it’s those travelling Leeds fans who make themselves heard and seen at any packed-out ground in the country.

Leeds are now five points ahead of Sheffield United in second, and seven in front of Burnley behind them, creating a really enticing gap.

With the way that Bramall Lane is set up, carnage was always possible in a game like this.

Home fans sitting above the away end never end well, and with no blocks in the corners, fans were always likely to move forward if players, like Tanaka, celebrated in that area.

The FA will likely understand this and will have safety at the forefront of their thinking, with a reminder to try and avoid things like this in the future.

It may be easier said than done after a last-minute winner, though.