Soccer: Leeds footballers' trial - TV script commissioned

The controversial events surrounding the Leeds United footballers’ trial could be dramatised for television.

Yorkshire Television said it had commissioned a script concerning the circumstances that led to the trials of Jonathan Woodgate, Lee Bowyer and three others, but had not decided whether to proceed with the project.

It was not known whether the script would portray the alleged events or concentrate on the trial itself.

The brutal attack on Sarfraz Najeib, 21, in Leeds city centre in January last year led to two criminal trials involving Woodgate and Bowyer.

Bowyer was cleared of all criminal charges by the jury at Hull Crown Court this month.

But team mate Woodgate was given 100 hours community service after he was convicted for affray.

The Times newspaper reported that Farrukh Dhondy, a former commissioning editor of Channel Four, has written the screenplay.

It said Mr Najeib had co-operated with the project but claimed the footballers refused.

A YTV spokesman said: ‘‘YTV have commissioned a script from Farrukh Dhondy and as and when and if they decide to push ahead with the project, they will then seek a broadcaster.’’