Blades fail in appeal over Cup capacity

Sheffield United and Leeds United will lose out on an estimated £100,000 in gate receipts after a safety advisory committee confirmed that two blocks of one stand will be closed for Sunday's FA Cup sixth-round game at Bramall Lane.

The committee, comprising police and local authority officials, ruled that blocks G and H of the Arnold Laver Stand should be closed but did allow the lower tier of the Bramall Lane Stand – occupied by away supporters – to be opened with a reduction of 500 seats after the First Division club agreed to additional stewarding.

The decision follows a series of controversial incidents at the ground. Last month a fan ran on to the pitch and coins were thrown after the Blades lost 1-0 against Norwich City.

A statement from Sheffield United said: "The argument put forward by the club on measures to open G and H Blocks in the Laver Stand was not accepted by the licensing committee.

"The club can only apologise to season ticket holders in these areas and with the supporters who also use them and who are, on the whole, well-behaved."