Leeds United apologise to QPR for 'ignorant' behaviour at Loftus Road

Leeds United Supporters' Trust (LUST) has issued a heartfelt apology to QPR, supporters and Dr Mark Prince OBE after away fans appeared to boo during the campaigner's half time speech on fighting knife crime.

Dr Prince took the pitch during the break to talk about the work of The Kiyan Prince Foundation, a charity set up in 2008 in memory of his son Kiyan - the promising youngster, who was part of the QPR youth academy, died at the age of 15 after being stabbed while peacefully intervening in a fight outside his school in 2006.

The Foundation is closely linked with the football club and works to help those at risk of involvement in youth violence. While Dr Prince gave an update on the charity's work, Leeds United fans could be heard booing in the School End, with the campaigner venting his frustrations at the act when speaking.

After the match, Dr Prince wrote on X: "I'm here to help them poor ignorant Leeds United fans see the light they truly let their club down #poorbehaviour it was funny how they shut up when I said u really booing you got family you got kids to haven't you? Then the Rrss let out a mighty roar of support u guys are the best."

On Saturday, LUST issued an apology on behalf of fans, explaining that away supporters could not make out the content of the speech over the speaker system at Loftus Road. The statement read: "LUST and LUSC would like to address the booing during Mark Prince's speech at half-time of last night's game, and would like to offer our sincere apologies.

"To provide some context, the fans in the away end were unable to hear the content being spoken due to the quality of the sound system, or see the big screen, which led to a frustrated and unfortunate reaction during Mark's speech.

"Leeds United have spoken to us and said that they weren't made aware that Mark was going to be speaking at half-time, otherwise communications would have been issued to supporters before the game. The club will also be reaching out to QPR and Mark individually to apologise for the incident.

"As a group of fans that know all too well the dangers of knife crime, we would like to assure those connected to Mark and the wider QPR family that had our fans understood the importance and sensitive nature of the speech last night, in no way would Leeds fans have reacted in the way they did.

"We also want to acknowledge the great work the Kiyan Prince Foundation does. We pass on our sincere apologies to Mark, his family, the fans and to QPR."