'Poisonous atmosphere': angry exchanges as Leeds Rhinos fans split over 'Rohan Smith out' chants v Hull FC

Travelling supporters have described a “poisonous” atmosphere in the away end at Hull FC’s MKM Stadium as Rhinos slumped to an 18-10 defeat in Betfred Super League. It was Leeds’ eighth loss in 15 competitive matches this year and only Hull’s second victory of the campaign.

There was applause around the ground for Rhinos legend Rob Burrow before and seven minutes into Leeds’ first game since his death two weeks earlier, but the mood turned ugly among travelling fans after Hull took the lead. One supporter told the Evening Post: “There were a fair few arguments between fans.

“I believe it was about the 'Rohan out' chants which some fans took offence to. They started hurling abuse at those singing it and it escalated from there. It was all verbal though, no physical fighting.”

Another described how the mood turned sour when Hull scored three converted tries in a brief spell either side of half-time. He said: “It was a really strange atmosphere, if I’m honest. Pre-Hull scoring it was okay, lots of love for Rob Burrow, but the longer the game went on and the longer Leeds were playing that badly, there were some murmurings. The first ‘Smith out’ chants were on the stroke of half time, at 12-0, but they really got going at 18-0. That’s when the mood changed.”

The supporter said the group calling for the coach to be axed were “embroiled in some to and fro with another group who were more annoyed at the Smith out chants because they wanted positivity, support your team and so on”. He added: “There was some back and forth, nothing too major.

“But generally - because of the abject performance - the atmosphere which should have been celebratory and respectful to Rob’s memory was pretty toxic. The disconnect was between the ‘Smith out’ brigade and the ‘get behind your team no matter what’ ones.”

Another fan told the Evening Post, via social media, it was “[the] most poisonous atmosphere at a Leeds game I can remember in my 40-plus years of watching”, while a fourth stated: “It wasn’t pretty. It was an awful atmosphere in the second half. I appreciate people have an opinion, but surely it’s not helping the players.”