Leeds United CEO Shaun Harvey has further outlined his "turn your backs" campaign, urging Leeds fans not to respond to taunts about Istanbul, however is it workable?

Harvey spoke to the YEP following last weeks disgraceful scenes at Hillsborough, as a prelude to thug Aaron Cawley attacking Chris Kirkland there were chants exchanged between rival supporters about the tragedy which claimed the lives of two Leeds fans in 2000 and the recent child abuse allegations surrounding dead TV personality Jimmy Saville.

Wednesday boss Dave Jones was also taunted about the child-abuse allegations he was cleared of 12 years ago and Neil Warnock was constantly barracked by the home fans due to his Sheffield United connections.

“Last week’s game was a wake-up call,” Harvey said in the YEP. “Football needs to address this issue and the events of Hillsborough highlighted that. It’s why we’ve decided to act.

“I don’t believe you can administrate against it and from our perspective, clubs and fans must provide the answers. It’s us who need to take responsibility. You recently saw Sir Alex Ferguson going to great lengths to ask Manchester United’s fans not to chant about the Hillsborough disaster. We’re equally determined to play our part.

“There are situations where one man’s banter is another man’s insult but what we’re talking about goes far beyond that. There’s no question in anyone’s mind that chants about Istanbul are exceptionally offensive.

“I won’t pretend that the same isn’t true about chants that have come from a small section of our own supporters on occasions in the past. The problem’s there for people to see.

“What’s clear is that chants about Istanbul tend to lead to confrontation and trouble. We want our fans to register their disgust by turning their backs on the pitch. It’s a better way. When it comes to offensive chants from our own crowd, we’d look for all right-minded fans to voice their disapproval.

“How successful the scheme is will ultimately be down to the fans themselves. But I think the vast majority will see the point of our initiative.”

Radical critics of the scheme may argue in a land of so-called free speech, who regulates the moral high ground. In last months Square Ball there was an excellent article about the unworkabilities of the Public Order Act and the ridiculous outcomes that often arise from it.

What is offensive? Racism definitely, Munich Songs absolutely (although the Square Ball article did argue that the time lapse since 06.02.1958 could mean that only a few people are still around who were personally effected by the tragedy). Could it be argued that at least one of the songs about our present owner is offensive? Where do we draw the line? I know people who find "Family Guy" funny, I personally find it offensive, then again I am a fan of comedian Frankie Boyle!

Neil Warnock has backed the campaign but pointed out what a difficult job stewards face in dealing with offensive fans, he said “In an ideal world it would be the best way but it’s very difficult to tell a six foot, two inch bloke who’s intoxicated that you’re going to get him arrested. That’s easier said than done. I don’t think it’s possible safety-wise."

I think Warnock makes an excellent point. Would you be prepared to tackle someone who is spewing constant bile?

However surely in this day and age we can use technology? Why can't the club set up an SMS facility whereby unacceptable behaviour can be reported anonymously via text message and on giving the location of the problem, the stewards and police (if there are any left following Ken's famous court win) can swiftly eject the offender(s)?

Nevertheless this would not solve the problem when the unacceptable chants are sung en-masse, eg there are a couple of hundred at it!

As for Harvey's call to "turn our backs" I'm not so sure myself. I was at Millwall in March when several thousand home fans were chanting "Istanbul" and we responded with "Boring Boring Millwall"! why should I, have paid good money turn my back on watching the game which was the primary purpose of going anyway?

So a well-intended suggestion from Mr Harvey however I'm not so sure it will catch on.Self-Policing is all fine and well, but who sets and interprets the law?

Photo: Action Images

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