FOOTBALL fans have been praised for their behaviour after this weekend's Middlesbrough versus Leeds fixture passed safely.

Operational commander Supterintendent Mark Thornton has thanked home and away fans after the Saturday lunchtime game passed with minimal incident, with two arrests during the game and one after the final whistle.

A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with an offence involving a flare being lighted. A 29-year-old was arrested on suspicion of being drunk in a designated sports ground, and a 37-year-old man was arrested following the game on suspicion of a public order offence.

Superintendent Thornton said: “The majority of fans have been fantastic and have worked with us to ensure that the match goes ahead safely and that the focus was on football, not disorder.

“We police football based on the intelligence we receive, and our response today was proportionate. I’m extremely proud of all involved, especially officers on the ground who have been engaging with fans."