Ahead of Sunday’s second Sheffield derby match, Sheffield United manager, Chris Wilder, says emotions will run high.
Sheffield United, known as the Blades by fans, will head to Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium for the first meeting since November.
In the November game, which Sheffield United won 1-0, emotions ran high and brawls broke out. Resulting in 22 football fan receiving bans from their clubs.
So far 10 people have been charged in connection with the disorder, while others are awaiting decisions from the Crown Prosecution Service or remain under investigation, according to a South Yorkshire Police spokesperson.
Two of the offenders have received court-imposed football banning orders, the force said.
In a press conference ahead of Sunday’s much anticipated Sheffield derby, Wilder said: “It’s an emotional game and it’s an emotional game whatever the opposition. It just gets ramped up to a different level when you’re playing your local rivals, so there’s no guarantees.”
When asked about preventing disorder outbreaks, Wilder said: “I can’t sit here and say 100% it won’t happen.”
Wilder acknowledged that the game is “going to be competitive” and said he relies on “referee to officiate in the right way and be sensible in his decisions” in order to keep the peace on the day.
He said: “I get the passion, I get the emotion, I think it sometimes spills over the top but I understand that.
“I’m trying to achieve a double as a Sheffield United manager. We’re trying to preserve and improve our away record which is the best away record in the division.”
Sheffield United currently sit at second place in the Championship, just two points behind leaders Leeds United. Whilst Sheffield Wednesday are sat at 11th place, fighting for their place in the play offs.