This archive report was first published on 3 July 2019.
On Saturday, July 6, 2019, a World Cup match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, turned chaotic, with unprecedented crowd trouble reported.
According to West Yorkshire Police, they received reports of fans climbing over a wall, assaulting staff at a gate, and one fan even venturing onto the pitch.
Mobile phone footage shared on social media showed a fight between fans outside the ground, with a metal barrier being brandished and punches, kicks, and shouting.
Police appealed for anyone who was a victim or witness of an attack, or who has original footage of the incidents, to come forward.
Superintendent Chris Bowen acknowledged that while the incidents were isolated and involved a minority of fans, they were unprecedented at a cricket match.
"While these were isolated incidents, involving a relative minority of people attending the event, the scenes that were witnessed were completely unprecedented at a cricket match," he said.
As a result, policing arrangements have been reviewed, and there will be an enhanced police presence and stewarding for matches at Headingley this week.
The International Cricket Council has also weighed in, stating that it will not tolerate anti-social behaviour.
