8 men police want to speak to after violent clashes during Pakistan and Afghanistan match at Headingley Cricket Ground

Detectives investigating incidents of disorder at Headingley during the Cricket World Cup have released images of eight men they want to identify.
Police want to speak to these 8 men - do you recognise anyone?Police want to speak to these 8 men - do you recognise anyone?
Police want to speak to these 8 men - do you recognise anyone?

Officers from Leeds District CID have reviewed CCTV and footage posted to social media and are focusing on four incidents of violent disorder inside and outside the ground during the match between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Saturday, June 29.

Police were called to the stadium shortly before noon that day following reports of a disturbance outside the ground involving a large group. Officers attended and dispersed the group without incident and remained on patrol in the area.

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Other incidents of disorder that had occurred inside the ground were brought to police attention later and a full investigation was launched.

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Detective Superintendent Jaz Khan, Head of Crime for Leeds District, said: “We conducted a comprehensive review of all the available CCTV and other footage filmed by members of the public and have pinpointed four incidents of violent disorder that are now the focus of a criminal investigation.

“While we did not receive any reports at the time of members of the public being injured, it is clear from the various footage available that people were assaulted during these incidents.

“Violent scenes like this are completely unprecedented at a cricket match.

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"It caused understandable concern to the law-abiding majority who were there to enjoy this high-profile sports events in peace.

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“We simply cannot allow behaviour such as this to go unchallenged and we need to send a very clear message about how unacceptable it is for people to involve themselves in crowd trouble at sports events and that there will be consequences.

“We are therefore very keen to identify the suspects shown on the images that we have released today, and I would appeal for people’s help both in providing information on who these people are and in sharing these images to as wide an audience as possible.

“I would also appeal directly to any of the people shown in the images to contact us and arrange to come and speak to us about these incidents now before we come and arrest you once your identity is known.”

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Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police via 101 quoting Operation Deeppond for the attention of DS Dave Parkin or DC Sam Shukla at Elland Road.

Information can also be passed via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/contact-us or anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.