Leeds United have issued a statement regarding what they consider as "vile chants" in the wake of the ugly scenes that marred the recent Yorkshire Derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

Both sets of fans exchanged chants during the game, with the hosts singing about two Leeds fans murdered in Turkey in 2010 and the visitors mocking the cleared Dave Jones for child abuse charges against him some 12 years ago.

Leeds have issued a statement condemning the chants and suggesting that fans who hear such songs "turn their back".

"In an age when so much has been done to improve the game's image it is sickening that these vile chants can still be heard in and around stadiums up and down the country," ITV Sport quotes Leeds chief executive Shaun Harvey as saying.

"Our fans have been the perpetrators and the victims of vile and sick chants, particularly with reference to the two fans who lost their lives in Istanbul 12 years ago. We don't believe there is any place for this in football.

"We are asking our fans to show their feeling towards any vile chants they may hear by turning their backs in response, rather than react in any other way."

Leeds fan Aaron Cowley was yesterday jailed for four months for slapping Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.