Exclusive: Hillsborough safety incidents slammed in Sheffield United v Wednesday
Keith Hackett has slammed the “stupid acts” of some fans after Sheffield United’s winner against Sheffield Wednesday.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that the “safety of spectators is essential”, after Wednesday fans claimed objects were thrown at them from the upper tier of the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough.
The Steel City derby was a typically feisty affair, with the issues in the stands translating onto the pitch, with six yellow cards shown, and a total of 26 fouls committed between the two sides.
Following an evenly matched contest, United would take all three points, and move level with Leeds at the top of the Championship table, thanks to a tap-in from Rhian Brewster.
Rhian Brewster goal causes crowd trouble in Steel City derby
With just over an hour gone, Tyrese Campbell dropped his shoulder, breezing past Michael Ihiekwe, before squaring the ball across the Wednesday penalty area.
An unfortunate deflection took the ball into the path of Brewster, who scored a simple tap-in, wheeling away towards the United fanbase, who were situated in the upper tier of the Leppings Lane end of the ground.
The away fans, blocked off by a cloth-like material, then surged forward, celebrating the goal, however, Wednesday fans seated below them claimed objects were thrown from the upper tier at them.
It was not the only incident during the game that raised concerns, as referee Andrew Kitchen was forced to temporarily stop proceedings, thanks to an object being thrown onto the field of play.
United fans were not the only ones at fault, as Sheffield Wednesday are set for an FA sanction, due to crowd trouble that will also be reviewed by the police.
Keith Hackett gives verdict on crowd issues in Steel City derby
Following a tense derby, ex-PGMOL chief, Hackett, gave his review on what can be expected to happen after Wednesday fans claimed they had objects thrown at them, and missiles were thrown onto the pitch, telling Football Insider exclusively:
“In the Steel City derby, there was a problem at the infamous Leppings Lane [end] of the ground.
“The away fans of Sheffield United were situated on the upper tier, with the first four rows blocked off with what appeared to be a soft cloth-like material.
“Sadly, in celebrating a goal, the fans of United just simply ran through it, and the Wednesday fans seated below claimed objects were thrown from that upper tier.
| Match stats | Sheffield Wednesday | Sheffield United |
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Shots (on target) | 14 (3) | 10 (2) |
| Expected goals | 1.30 | 1.30 |
| Big chances (missed) | 2 (2) | 1 (0) |
| Corners | 7 | 2 |
“In another incident, the game was stopped whilst the referee, Andrew Kitchen, took an object that had been thrown to a security officer standing at the tunnel area.
“These incidents in the atmosphere of a local derby game are [not] welcome, and the safety of spectators is essential.
“Let’s hope the police have security film available to get those who are perpetrators of these stupid acts.”
It is not the first time this season that the Blades have been embroiled in controversy this season, after Sheffield United players brawled with Swansea in January.