UK: Leeds players charged over racist attack
01 March 2000
More Leeds United football players have been questioned by West Yorkshire police about the racist attack on 19-year old Asian student Sarfraz Najeib and his friends as they left a nightclub in Leeds city centre on January 12 (see Statewatch vol 10 no 1). Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer were charged with affray and grievous bodily harm in March and released on bail in connection with the assault by five white men that left Sarfraz with three broken ribs, a broken leg and a broken nose after he left a nightclub in Leeds city centre on January 12. Sarfraz's injuries were so severe that he has been forced to abandon his university course, although he may apply for readmission in the autumn.
In February three men in their twenties were arrested and questioned about their involvement in the attack after West Yorkshire police obtained CCTV footage of the incident. As a result of their information at the beginning of March the Leeds reserve striker, Tony Hackworth, was questioned about the attack and bailed and the following day a fourth player, Michael Duberry was questioned. Duberry was asked about providing transport for a group of white men at the nightclub where the attack took place. Witness statements have also been taken from two other players, Harry Kewell and Michael Bridges. The police file on the case has been delivered to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The attacks have lead to an increase in racist behaviour by Leeds fans, according to club chairman Peter Risdale. In March the club met with representatives of the National Civil Rights Movement and the Kick It Out campaign to discuss how relations with the black and Asian communities can be repaired. The Arc theatre group has cancelled plans to perform an anti-racist play at the ground.
Yorkshire Post 4.2.00, 8.3.00; Guardian 22.3.00.