Leeds close Elland Road and club shop due to security threat as police make urgent checks

Security threat forces Leeds United to CLOSE Elland Road and their club shop as police make URGENT checks at the stadium after a social media threat… with staff forced to evacuate

  • Sportsmail understands the security threat was made by a user on social media
  • Leeds do not play at Elland Road this weekend due to the international break
  • The club confirmed its offices at the stadium will be closed until further notice

Leeds United were forced to evacuate Elland Road on Friday after a security threat was made towards the club.

West Yorkshire Police arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with the incident, which led to staff being sent home from the stadium and the club shop closed.

Sportsmail understands the threat was made by a user on social media and reported to police on Thursday night.

Officers then opened an investigation to ‘establish the credibility of the threat’ and visited Elland Road on Friday morning to check if the ground was safe.

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement: ‘Police were called to attend Elland Road football stadium following reports of a security threat to the premises. The report was received at 9.49pm on Thursday night.

Leeds were forced to close Elland Road on the advice of police after a security threat on Friday

Staff were evacuated from the stadium’s offices and the club shop has been temporarily shut 

‘Officers have arrested a 42-year-old man in connection with the incident and enquiries remain ongoing.’

Leeds earlier confirmed: ‘Leeds United’s offices, ticket office, Foundation offices and club shop at Elland Road will be closed until further notice on the advice of the police.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience and we will inform the public when normal service resumes.’

Elland Road was shut for the rest of the day. Leeds’ next home game is not until April 4 against Nottingham Forest.

West Yorkshire Police arrived on Friday to make urgent checks at the temporarily shut ground

 West Yorkshire Police arrived on Friday to make urgent checks at the temporarily shut ground

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