Police unable to identify Leeds fan who racially abused Arsenal bench

Daily News
3 Min Read

West Yorkshire Police have been unable to identify a Leeds fan who racially abused Arsenal players during a Premier League game at Elland Road in December.

The abuse from the West Stand was aimed at the Arsenal bench in the first half of their 4-1 win over Leeds on December 18, 2021.

Just after the half-hour mark, the Arsenal subs called over the fourth official to report the abuse. The Premier League later confirmed it was investigating an allegation of racist abuse.

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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Arsenal’s win at Leeds in the Premier League

Sky Sports News can reveal that the police investigation has now closed, with no suspect found.

Meanwhile, a man remains under investigation for a similar incident around the 75th minute.

A statement from Leeds read in December: “Racism will not be tolerated at Leeds United and any supporter found to be using racist language will be subject to a life time ban for all Leeds United games.”

Explaining what happened, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports: “It was reported and the stadium manager will have to deal with the authorities.

“I am very disappointed because we have done so much in football to try to avoid it [racism], but it is a single person. I don’t think that merits that a full stadium pays the price.

“It was a single incident and it has to be reported. It was reported, and now the authorities will have to work with the clubs to understand what happened.”

Arsenal beat Leeds 4-1 thanks to a double from Gabriel Martinelli, while Bukayo Saka and substitute Emile Smith Rowe got the Gunners’ other goals.

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