How unusual stadium row broke out prior to Leeds' FA Cup quarter-final penalty shootout victory at West Ham as Daniel Farke questions safety concerns

Leeds manager Daniel Farke was left shocked after he was initially told upon arrival at West Ham that a potential advantage would be handed to the hosts. Ordinarily, the end for a penalty shootout is settled by the toss of a coin. Yet FA regulations allow that process to be overridden, granting the stadium Safety Officer the power to dictate the location if there is deemed to be a safety risk.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was left stunned after an unusual shootout dispute threatened to overshadow his side's dramatic Emirates FA Cup triumph over West Ham.

His team ultimately booked a place in the semi-finals for the first time in 39 years - but only after an evening of high drama that saw them surrender a two-goal lead in stoppage time before prevailing on penalties.

With strikes from Ao Tanaka and Dominic Calvert-Lewin seemingly securing a comfortable victory for the Yorkshire club, thousands of West Ham supporters began streaming out as the clock edged toward 90 minutes, convinced the contest was settled.

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But Mateus Fernandes and Axel Disasi struck in quick succession to level the match at 2-2, forcing extra time and turning a fading contest into a cup classic. With penalties approaching, it drew into focus a dispute which was reported prior to kick-off.

Leeds boss Farke was left stunned after revealing he had been informed ahead of the tie that if it went to penalties, they would not be permitted to take them in front of their 9,000 travelling supporters due to "safety reasons."

It was confirmed afterwards that the safety officer at the London Stadium signed a document to say that taking penalties in front of the away end would be deemed a safety risk, with the Mirror reporting that the police had consulted with the local safety advisory group.

Leeds took an allocation of 9,000 away fans to the London Stadium

Image credit: Getty Images

In a further bizarre twist, the decision was then said to be changed during the game and the subsequent coin toss for choice of end ahead of the shootout - perhaps due to the news circulating through the media during the course of an eventful evening in the capital.

Leeds would go on to win 4-2 on penalties in front of the end housing home supporters, after losing the toss, making an unusual and unprecedented scenario academic - but Farke didn't let the bizarre state of affairs pass without comment.

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Farke said in his post-match press conference: "I was told that there was a document signed by the safety officer saying we could not shoot into our end.

"You have to stay classy, and it’s gone now. I won’t comment, but you could imagine what I thought about such a situation.

"The stand is probably furthest away from the pitch than any other stadium. If a safety officer signed such a document to give more or less advantage to have the penalty shootout in front of their supporters, you can perhaps think about what I think about such a situation.

"Each club has a different way to deal with such a situation, and we have never signed such a document due to safety reasons at Elland Road."

Leeds were pegged back before prevailing on penalties in a dramatic FA Cup quarter-final

Image credit: Getty Images

This was not the first time that either side found themselves embroiled in a penalty shootout in this season's FA Cup competition.

A shoot-out victory in front of the away end at Birmingham City in which goalkeeper Lucas Perri also excelled would have given Leeds confidence, while West Ham were victorious on penalties against Brentford, with the spot-kicks taking place in front of 5,000 travelling fans last month at the London Stadium.

On Sunday, Pascal Struijk hit the winning spot-kick - but only after Perri had denied both Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Felipe to wipe out Finlay Herrick's opening save from Joel Piroe.

'The magic of the FA Cup' - Perri, Struijk react to Leeds' shoot-out win over West Ham

Video credit: TNT Sports

Leeds will now face Chelsea in the semi-finals later this month, with Manchester City taking on Southamptonat Wembley, on the weekend of April 25/26 - with both games live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Farke added: ”We always do it the tough way, never the easy way. It was a crazy game but we fought for this piece of history and I’m just proud of the boys. To keep the nerves and win the penalty shootout shows great mentality and character.

”This is reward for our fantastic fanbase with the first semi-final for decades. You could see what it meant when you looked in the eyes of the supporters. It means the world."

Commenting on the semi-final draw, Farke added: "We’re still not favorites. We need an extraordinary day, an outstanding performance and also a bit of luck perhaps.

"If we have the chance even to go one step further, we are greedy also to grab it with both hands."

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You can watch every match of the Emirates FA Cup live on TNT Sports, available both live and on-demand on HBO Max. 

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