 Sheepshanks said Leeds fans displayed "aggressive intent" |
Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks paid tribute to Town fans for staying calm in the face of what he called "extreme provocation" at Leeds on Saturday. Hundreds of Leeds supporters went on to the pitch near the end of the game after a late Ipswich equaliser almost certainly relegated the Yorkshire club.
Sheepshanks told BBC Radio Suffolk: "They were a credit to themselves and the club.
"Our thoughts are with those who were hurt as a result of what happened."
Sheepshanks was at the game, which was delayed for half an hour after the pitch was invaded, and he said those that entered the field "generally displayed aggressive intent and in some cases harm towards Ipswich Town fans and indeed our players".
He went on: "We utterly deplore what happened as, it must be said, do the majority of Leeds United supporters, some of whom have even contacted us to express their regret.
"It was a stark reminder of a past era of football violence that I thought we had managed to leave behind in this country. It will now be a matter for the Football authorities to investigate and take whatever action they see fit.
"I would also like to commend our players for their recognition of both what our own fans endured and their display of empathy for the sad plight of the real Leeds United fans who remained at the end of the game."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 