Blackwell: Best abuse was 'rubbish'
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has condemned the fans who disrupted the silence held in honour of George Best before yesterday’s match against Millwall at the New Den.
The silence lasted barely 20 seconds, with a section of Leeds supporters jeering as fans paid their tribute to the Manchester United and Northern Ireland legend.
Blackwell told Sky Sports News: “It was rubbish and should be put in the rubbish bin – that’s where we should put it.
“We have magnificent fans and they were let down by just a few but it’s always the few who get the headlines. I disassociate myself from them altogether.”
Liverpool fans also disrupted the silence at Manchester City’s Eastlands stadium.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez admitted it was “a pity” some of Liverpool’s supporters failed to observe the silence.
Some Liverpool fans did join in the applause when Best’s name was announced.
“It is a pity,” said Benitez. “It was only a few people and most of them did applaud but it is a pity, you can’t say anything else.”
City boss Stuart Pearce was also disappointed, although he felt more emphasis should be placed on the supporters who were quiet rather than those who were not.
“I have no idea which group of supporters it was but the vast majority paid tribute to a legend of the game who gave a lot of pleasure to a lot of people and that is the important thing,” said Pearce.
“You have to look at the positives rather than dwell of the actions of a handful of people in a crowd of 47,000.”
