Neil Harris has suggested that the bigger clubs in the Championship get away with ‘huge calls’ in wake of Leeds United fans throwing objects at Millwall players during Saturday’s 3-2 win at Elland Road.
Leeds had just gone 2-1 behind to Millwall when objects were sent in the direction of Ben Marshall and his teammates as the winger celebrated his penalty in front of the South Stand instead of the travelling Lions fans.
And, there is an expected FA charge heading Leeds' way after the incident, with the governing body awaiting the ref's report yesterday.
Reflecting on that incident, Harris has highlighted how these things need to stop.
“Having seen various incidents back, a lot of objects got thrown on the pitch,” Harris told the South London Press. “We want to eradicate those sort of things from football grounds.
He’s also suggested that the bigger clubs in the Championship often get away with these things.
“Is it common at Leeds? Do they get away with it? I don’t know,” Harris continued. “It is not good in any football ground in any country.
“Marshy has not left the field of play – he is nowhere near the byline. He is eight to 10 yards inside that.
“Various players get hit by coins, bottles and lighters. It is not acceptable in football grounds. Messages are sent out asking fans not to do it. Everybody has got a duty of care to stop that happening across the nation. We have got to. It is going to take a serious incident for it to happen and that is not what we want to see.
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“You see fans on the pitch hitting players [Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish was struck during the recent derby against Birmingham City] and I’ve seen my players hit with various objects at the weekend.
“They are huge clubs. Do they get away with huge calls at this level? I believe so, to a certain degree. Let’s not focus on the culprits, let’s focus on eradicating it. Something has got to change.”
Despite Marshall putting Millwall into the lead with his penalty, the Lions couldn’t hold on for an important win as Leeds turned the screw late on.
Luke Ayling equalised from a Barry Douglas cross, before Pablo Hernandez benefitted on some good work from Tyler Roberts down the left to put Leeds 3-2 ahead.
The result gave Leeds a boost in their quest for promotion and dented Millwall’s chance of survival in the Championship.
The Verdict
This is quite controversial of Harris to say, particularly with the FA already investigating Leeds over the incident at Elland Road on Saturday.
Situations like this shouldn’t happen and, of course, the supporters hold the majority of the blame. However, the players involved need to have a look at themselves and should avoid celebrating in front of opposition fans.
Unless that’s stamped out of the game, these things are going to continue repeating themselves.
Thoughts? Let us know!