Man handed football banning order after tragedy chants at Leeds United match
A man who made tragedy chants during a recent Leeds United game has been given a football banning order.
23-year-old Nicholas Harpur appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Monday (January 5), where he pleaded guilty to a public order offence at a recent football match between Leeds United and Liverpool.
Officers were at the away fan coach park at the Premier League clash on December 6, 2025, when they heard shouting and chanting between several groups of fans, both home and away.
Harpur, of Flint Lane, Sefton, Merseyside, was heard tragedy chanting by making reference to an incident in Istanbul in 2000 in which two Leeds United fans died.
On Monday, he was fined £800 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £320 and £85 costs. He was also handed a three-year football banning order.
Chief Inspector Pete Hall, who was the match commander for the game, said: “We know that the vast majority of fans don’t want to see this type of behaviour, which is highly offensive and can cause genuine distress to those affected by the incidents that these tragedy chants refer to.
“Directing chants, comments or gestures such as this at rival fans has no place in football.
“We will continue to work closely with Leeds United and visiting clubs to ensure that any offences are investigated and banning orders sought where appropriate.”