Leeds United hit out at tragedy chanting from Millwall fans after being dumped out of the FA Cup at Elland Road.
The bad blood between the two fanbases resurfaced during the fourth-round tie settled by two goals from Femi Azeez.
Leeds issued a statement afterwards condemning a section of the 1,700-strong visiting support for chants relating to the deaths of two Leeds fans in Istanbul ahead of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in 2000.
“During today’s FA Cup fourth-round tie with Millwall, we were extremely disappointed to hear vile chants relating to football tragedies from the away section at Elland Road,” it read.
“We know the impact this has on the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, along with the whole fanbase of Leeds United.
“We will work with the police and Millwall Football Club to identify those involved, whilst we will also continue our efforts with the football authorities to help eradicate these chants from the game.”
West Yorkshire Police had hoped a 12.15 kick-off would negate any potential for trouble but, sadly, that did not prove to be the case.
“Life of human beings is always much more important than just a football game. The whole football community stands for this,” said Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
“When something really sad happens, normally the whole football world stands together. If someone didn’t reach the standard today – I didn’t hear it – it’s important we look into this situation.”
Millwall head coach Alex Neil said he was not aware of the chanting either but echoed Farke’s sentiments.
“If there is any of that went on we as a club wouldn’t condone any of that,” he said.
The controversy took some of the shine off in-form Millwall’s outstanding win which took them into the fifth round for the first time in six seasons.
Farke, prioritising his side’s promotion push, made 10 changes for the tie, only retaining captain Ethan Ampadu, and the home side were punished for it.
Leeds – who missed a second-half penalty – produced a disjointed performance and were beaten at Elland Road for the first time since September.
“If you rotate in 10 positions it can’t be positive for the fluidity of your football. We took this decision because of the schedule,” said Farke. “We weren’t at our best as a team but that was to be expected with so many changes. We had to look after a few players.
“You could argue it’s beneficial for our other targets but at the moment I’m a bit disappointed we’re not in the fifth round.”
Azeez, back after missing five games through injury, struck with a goal in each half as Millwall inflicted a first defeat on the Championship leaders in 15 matches.
There was some good fortune to the first after half an hour as a deflection off Josuha Guilavogui left Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow stranded.
There was no luck needed for his second, in the 55th minute. The 23-year-old was fed by Casper De Norre on the left and, with Ampadu standing off him, Azeez drilled his shot past Darlow.
He could have had a hat-trick, rattling the Leeds bar in between.
Had Pascal Struijk converted his spot-kick on the hour, after a nudge on Willy Gnonto by Luke Cundle, Leeds could have been back in it, but the outstanding Liam Roberts, diving to his left, got fingertips to the ball and diverted it onto the post.
“Playing Leeds you are going to have to rely on your keeper at some point – when we needed Liam he was very assured in what he did,” said Neil.
“Leeds at the moment is the hardest ground in the Championship to get a result and I thought we played really well.”
