Brain injury charity outlines Leeds precedent
The chief executive of brain injury charity Headway, Luke Griggs, has suggested change regarding concussion rules in football could be changed if more clubs followed Leeds United in speaking out in favour of them.
During Leeds' 4-2 defeat to Manchester United, defender Robin Koch received treatment following a blow to the head but was allowed to continue playing after passing the on-field concussion screening tests required by the Premier League.
However, he was later withdrawn from the action and Leeds issued a statement following the game on their official website, insisting the club's medical staff are in favour of temporary substitutions which would provide more time for assessment.
Griggs of Headway told Sky Sports he welcomed Leeds' decision to support change following Koch's injury.
He said: "I welcome the fact that Leeds United have actually come out and put their support behind temporary concussion substitutes now. I think that's a really important first step.
"I hope other clubs will step up forward as well because if we have those medical teams saying 'yes, temporary concussion substitutes would help us do our jobs', that will really enforce Headway's message and what we've been saying for many, many years now. If more clubs can come out and say what Leeds have said, maybe that will finally force change."
Gary Neville reveals Leeds worry in relegation battle assessment
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has admitted he believes Leeds United are in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle by the experience of Watford boss Roy Hodgson and Burnley manager Sean Dyche.
The Whites currently occupy 15th place in the Premier League table, five points ahead of Watford and six ahead of Burnley.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast hosted by Sky Sports, Neville said: "Every time I watch Leeds, irrespective of the fact that after a bit you think this is just a bit of a mess watching them, you still want to watch them play and I still want to watch Brentford play. When I go to that stadium and see that atmosphere and the fact they have a go, so I think they would be a loss.
"But I think Leeds and Brentford are in danger of getting dragged in by resilient Roy Hodgson and Sean Dyche, they've been around the block and know how to do it.
"They aren't going to panic, they might lose games badly but they know how to get shock results and go and win two or three games on the bounce. Then all of a sudden it has completely flipped on its head. That's where I see this league at the moment."
Whites to issue lifetime bans to object-throwers
According to The Times, Leeds United will issue lifetime bans to anyone who is identified as a supporter that threw objects on the pitch during the defeat to Manchester United.
Red Devils winger Anthony Elanga was struck by an object during the game and Leeds have reportedly accepted their pleas with supporters to behave have not been successful.
Elanga is not the first player to have been struck by an object at Elland Road, as Burnley defender Matthew Lowton was hit by a bottle when the Clarets faced the Whites in early January.
