The leader of Bradford Council says a civic reception could be held to recognise the Bantams’ Capital One Cup heroics as he reacted to claims by the club’s co-chairman that the authority had met its victory against Arsenal with “apathy”.

Bradford City boss Mark Lawn has said he had been disappointed with the Council’s “lack of reaction” since it booked a place in the competition’s semi-final.

But Council leader David Green said: “The Council has acknowledged the tremendous feat of Bradford City getting through to the semi-finals of the cup.”

He said he had congratulated the team and hoped there would be a “full recognition of their exploits” through a civic reception.