Still a bunch of grubs...

[]v[etaphoid]

Chris Kirkland attacked by Leeds fan at Sheffield Wednesday

The Football Association has launched an investigation into the incident
which saw Sheffield Wednesday keeper Chris Kirkland attacked by a fan.
Kirkland, 31, required treatment after he was struck in the face during
the Yorkshire derby against Leeds United, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

On Monday, Gloucestershire police charged a 21-year-old man from
Cheltenham for the assault. Owls boss Dave Jones called for Leeds fans
to be banned from away grounds.

"We are investigating the events of last night and awaiting the
referee's report," said an FA spokesman. "The FA condemns the scenes at
Hillsborough. We have begun an immediate investigation and have been in
contact with both clubs. We would call for the authorities to identify
and bring before the courts anyone who was involved in any form of
criminal disorder."

The attacker, who ran from the Leppings Lane end housing over 5,000
Leeds fans, struck former Liverpool and England keeper Kirkland with
such force he fell to the ground.

Kirkland, who joined the Owls from Wigan in May on a two-year contract,
won one England cap in 2006 when he came on as a substitute in a 4-0
friendly win against Greece at Old Trafford.

He said: "After conceding the goal, I was looking at the ground but when
I looked up, I caught a glimpse of someone coming towards me. I thought
he was going to give me some abuse but then suddenly he came at me with
both hands and I was stunned - you never know what could have been in
his hands. Later on I thought of my family watching something like that
and it was not nice to think my daughter saw me assaulted like that. I
want the authorities to look at what happened and take the appropriate
action because sooner or later, we could be talking about something even
more serious."

Wednesday manager Jones, who was taunted by visiting fans during the
game, told BBC Radio 5 live: "They are vile animals. You talk about
racism [but] the chanting, that's a form of racism. They should be
banned from every away ground if they're going to behave like that. They
[Leeds fans] are all going to get tarred with the same brush and that's
not right, but they will do and they should do because it wasn't one
person chanting the vile things.

"I thought those days had gone 15 or 20 years ago. They should be
punished. I've had it for 12 years and it is just upsetting that they
are able to do it. The authorities have to look at it and sort it. I'm
talking about an incident when we should be talking about the football."

Jones was also angry that Leeds manager Neil Warnock instructed his
players to applaud the away fans at the end of the game. "I really am
fuming that he sent his players to clap them. For what? Wrecking a
stadium, beating up my goalkeeper?" he added.

South Yorkshire Police have issued a statement saying they were also
investigating incidents "where it is believed seats and bottles were
thrown" inside the ground.

Kirkland was able to finish the game but Jones said the player was
"sore", "dazed" and "maybe concussed" in the dressing room.

Warnock, who offered to calm both sets of fans down in the first half as
tensions rose, admitted he was "embarrassed" to be a manager.

He said: "I'm not proud to be Leeds manager. I don't mind the
atmosphere, there's been elbows flying, but to see things like that on
the field of play, I'm embarrassed."