Several Leeds fans who called to both Yorkshire Radio and BBC Radio Five Live claimed the build-up to Chris Kirkland's assault was provoked by Sheffield Wednesday fans singing about the tragedy back in 2000 when Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus were stabbed to death on the eve of the UEFA Cup semi-final.

Witnesses claim that Wednesday fans in the North Stand sang "Always look out for Turks carrying knives" and made stabbing gestures, the sort of thing we normally get when we go to Millwall (Millwall fan pictured taunting Leeds fans with Turkish flags during the 2010/11 season), Cardiff and Manchester United.

Missiles including "chairs" (seats) and bottles were thrown from the Leppings Lane End. There was also a flare thrown on the pitch when Wednesday went 1-0 up.

The first meeting at Hillsborough between the two rivals in over six years was played out in an increasingly poisonous atmosphere. In the past, on the many occasions I have visited Hillsborough it has been electric and never really stepped over the mark of being nothing more than healthy, inter-county rivalry between Yorkshire's two biggest clubs.

Maybe the presence of ex Blades Neil Warnock, Michael Brown, Paddy Kenny and Michael Tonge, who's sizzling equaliser has been overshadowed by the Kirkland incident, did not help?

Who says absence makes the heart grow fonder?

Photo: Action Images

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