Cops to tell Leeds and Chelsea stars to behave at Elland Road

COPS will tell Leeds and Chelsea stars to behave tonight.

The clubs meet in what is a potentially explosive last-eight clash at Elland Road.

West Yorkshire Police will instruct managers Neil Warnock and Rafa Benitez, who also have a fierce rivalry, to control their players.

Chief Supt Paul Money said: “I’ll ask the managers of both teams to speak to the players and ask them to avoid doing anything which may antagonise supporters from the opposition team.

“We want the focus of the day to be action on the pitch — and for it not to be overshadowed by violence or disorder.

“We want to see both sets of fans enjoy what will be an exciting match and I’d ask responsible fans, who make up the vast majority, to not allow the minority of unruly fans to spoil the game.”

Leeds and Chelsea have a rivalry stretching back generations but this will be the clubs’ first meeting in eight years.

Blues interim boss Benitez will shake Warnock’s hand before the game.

Warnock is unsure whether he will complete the pre-match gesture because of a dispute between the two dating back to 2007, when they were bosses at Sheffield United and Liverpool.

Benitez was accused by his rival of playing a weakened team that Warnock felt contributed to United’s relegation from the Premier League.

Benitez said: “I’m professional so will do my job. I’m professional, I will behave.
“We have to behave beause there will be a lot of eyes on us.”