Known hooligans have been blamed for trouble at Leeds United’s match against Everton.
West Yorkshire Police made seven arrests on Tuesday evening in and around Elland Road.
There was tension as some Everton fans directed derogatory songs at cops about the police’s role in the Hillsborough tragedy. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “What trouble occurred was isolated and attributable to the actions of a small minority of visiting supporters numbering no more than 50.
“This group were identified by the travelling Merseyside Police football intelligence officer as being known members of a risk group.”
Problems flared before the game when a group of fans had to be kicked out of the Peacock pub opposite the stadium for “provocative” chanting.
During the game smoke bombs were let off in the West stand.
And after the match a group of fans were again alleged to have been singing provocative songs at police in the West stand car park.
The police spokesman said: “These incidents are not out of the norm for high-profile football matches.
“As is our usual practice, our football banning order unit will be reviewing any footage in conjunction with colleagues in Merseyside police with a view to considering football banning orders.
“We are also happy to make our footage available to the Football League should they wish to review any of
the behaviour of fans on the night.”
Some supporters took to Twitter and chat forums following the Capital One Cup match, which Leeds won 2-1, to complain that officers’ response was heavy-handed.
On Twitter @FourthOfficial said: “Disturbing scenes outside Elland Road after the game after a clash between Everton fans and Yorkshire police ... Everton fans chanting about the police and Hillsborough, so [police] got the batons out and charged.”
A fan on the official Everton FC web forum Blueroom said: “Considering the sensitivity of situation at the moment you would have thought the police would have been told to set a good example.”