Smith's Elland Road return vetoed

Alan Smith’s planned return to Elland Road has been vetoed amid concerns over security.

Smith, who moved to Manchester United in a £7m (€9.4m) transfer following Leeds’ relegation from the Premiership last season, was due to be invited to take part in defender Lucas Radebe’s testimonial on May 2.

However, following discussions with police, the committee organising the testimonial when a Leeds XI will take on an international select team, has decided Smith should not be involved.

David Share, the chairman of the committee, told the Yorkshire Post: “If we want to put the game on we have to do it with the co-operation of the police and we have been in discussions with regards to match-day security.

“Alan Smith would love to play but it would not be prudent so soon after him moving from Leeds to Manchester United to have him involved.

“He (Smith) is very disappointed and I would imagine the vast majority of Leeds supporters are disappointed too. We are only dealing with a small minority, but it is the decision that has been taken. We are not able to invite certain players back – it is a fact of life.”

Chairman of the Leeds United supporters’ club Ray Fell said: “I regret that decisions like this have to be taken but I can understand why it has been done.

“It is sad that there would perhaps have been a minority who would have given Alan Smith a hostile reception.”