galatasaray leeds death As. The 45-year-old was an unused sub when Leeds were defeated by Galatasaray in an infamous 1999-00 Uefa Cup semi-finals - a match that was overshadowed by the death of two Yorkshire fans in the . Alioski defended amid Leeds fans' fury over Galatasaray transfer links But the Leeds fans do not see it that way. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". ', Some wrote stronger messages, such as: 'Washed my hands with Alioski if he f***s off to those vermin. [6] Demir was later found guilty of murder and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, but released in 2004. A group of rival fans gathered and jeers were exchanged. Galatasaray advance to Ziraat Trkiye Kupas . We are no longer accepting comments on this article. He wasnt one of them who tried to cause trouble. It was only when Gray arrived home that his parents asked if he was OK and told him about the many Rangers fans who had died. Later in the evening, a group of around 20 Leeds supporters broke off and found their way to the Riddim bar near Taksim Square, the huge expanse in the centre of Istanbul which was filled with places to eat and drink. I had no idea where we were going or why we were going there, he says. The slit-throat gestures from fans as we arrived on the bus. At a local police station, at around 4am on April 6, Ridsdale was given a stark message by the UEFA representative who turned up there: play the game, or forfeit it and incur an automatic 3-0 defeat. Four people were stabbed in the scuffles, which also involved fans from other clubs and were viewed by the media as part of a retaliation for the killing of two Leeds United fans by Galatasaray supporters the month before. I say that as someone who was back at his hotel when the stabbings occurred, he would be one of the last people to blame. The away crowd emptied after Rangers late equaliser without realising what had unfolded inside the ground. Peter Hunt, the British consul general in Istanbul, had been prepared for potential trouble, as are all consuls and embassies when English fans travel abroad. She knows who he was but its not the same.. Try a week on us. Leeds had worries on several fronts: maintaining the safety of other fans in the city, helping the relatives of Speight and Loftus in Turkey and at home, and deciding whether the game at the Ali Sami Yen stadium should even go ahead. From 5pm local time more than 100 Leeds fans had arrived shouting, singing and demanding beer, according to Batu Dedeler, the bar owner. I got a lot of abuse for that and no wonder. His most recent role as a club manager was at English National League side Barnet, and he is currently a first team coach at Celtic.. As a player, Kewell represented Leeds United, Liverpool, Galatasaray, Melbourne Victory, Al-Gharafa and Melbourne Heart. For George, the clearest memories of his dad are few and slightly random. Ridsdale agreed to send his wife and other officials back but instructed a car to take him and Spencer to Taksim Hospital. Friends and family of Speight and Loftus had congregated there and other Leeds fans were waiting with more minor injuries, some of them slash wounds. Demir lost his last appeal in 2010 and was jailed for six years and eight months. The police had prior warning of potential trouble and deployed 2,000 officers to the area, yet they were unable to control the riot until they fired tear gas. (Top photo: Robbie Jay Barratt AMA/Getty Images). Former Leeds United Chairman Peter Ridsdale said: "The lasting impact has been to see the devastating effect it's had on Christopher and Kevin's families. ", Jack Connolly added: "That Wesley Sneijder knife launch is disgusting, scum of the earth.". More importantly, we needed to find out what state the two lads were in and whether we could help them.. [15] In the fight, Paul Dineen, an Arsenal fan, was stabbed, leading to Arsenal offering fans refunds if they did not want to fly to the game. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England. The authorities imposed sentences on some of those who had originally escaped justice with Suleyman Gokhan Guven, Ali Baydar and Yilmaz Tutus given ten, six and five years in prison respectively. [2] The events happened at 22:00 in Istanbul's Taksim Square during a fight between Leeds fans and Galatasaray fans. Has to be the biggest DO NOT for any Leeds player!! Because I was so young and the memories arent clear, I get times when I ask myself if it really happened. Holly, as a two-year-old, was left with no memories at all. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I dont want to imply criticism of the hospital for that, Ridsdale says. A few hours later two Leeds supporters, Kevin Speight, 40, and Christopher Loftus, 37, were dead from stab wounds. For long periods, none of those found guilty spent time behind bars. I know bits and bats but it doesnt help me to go over it, he says. [7] The ban was supported by UEFA and only 80 tickets were issued to Galatasaray for officials and representatives of the Turkish government. He described the Turkish policing as diabolical and out of control. I dont know why.. As injured and angry Leeds fans came through, he did what he could. Rory Carroll in Istanbul and Martin Wainwright. By Ill hear them saying, Thats Kevin Speights lad and I like that. I dont think, even to this day, that Galatasaray would see the amount of press coverage or criticism as being fairly labelled against them, Ridsdale said last year. I am happy and I hope everyone else can be too. Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder launches knife range - mirror Alioski had less of a cross to bear. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? Alioski was not part of that history but the history exists and the real story here far more significant than Alioski or any other footballer per se is the absence of any reconciliation over a night which feels as raw to those who witnessed it now as it did two decades ago; the lasting bitterness produced by a vacuum of empathy. The police did nothing, in fact they were helping them beat us up." We had a coach for the players and a coach for the directors, he says. Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. The Ibrox disaster was a tragedy, an accident, he says. The plaque on the wall by Elland Roads East Stand says Never Forgotten and Leeds United swore themselves to those words. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. Thats just how the system worked. That is true. His financial record at Leeds was dismal and Leeds never forget about it. You dont get it.. Everyones different., A brass plaque commemorating Speight and Lofus was set into brickwork outside Elland Road in 2001. The facilities are great. galatasaray leeds death "This was a premeditated attack," said Steve Wilkinson, who suffered knife wounds to one leg and a wound to his hand. [17] This came after Arsenal had warned the police before the final that there could be hooligans travelling to Copenhagen. Hed just met a girl. Trust us, this is only going to get worse., It didnt go down well, and I got that. Galatasaray fans entered the area shortly afterwards which precipitated a fight between the two sets of supporters. Every year, the families of Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus place wreathes at the plaque and go together for a drink, to catch up and reflect. I went off the rails, he says. The story goes that he and his wife Susan got together after he offered her a lift on the back of one. To this day, it is used as a tribute every time the anniversary comes round. The potential for trouble was as high as anything Id been involved in. [38], In 2013, Arsenal invited Galatasaray to compete at their annual Emirates Cup tournament. The police warned a postponement could cause more trouble. One minute youre coming out of a bar, the next youve got people running to attack you. The manager of Leeds, David O'Leary, had voiced fears of being met at the airport by "a 100-strong rentamob". Turkish Prime Minister Blent Ecevit also made a call for fans to avoid violence after the riots, stating: Sports should be an initiative for friendship, not for fighting. Convictions were quashed, appeals were repetitive and it is far from clear how much of their respective sentences were served. The Turkish side are hated by those at Elland Road after two travelling fans were stabbed to death by Galatasaray supporters prior to the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000. Then a good mate of mine appeared and said thered been a bit of trouble. Galatasaray accused him of trying to gain an unfair sporting advantage. He must have been off his head., Ian Harte, the left-back, is more vivid in describing it. He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. I genuinely feared for our lives. And worse things too. For me, it didnt feel real. Galatasaray fans attempted to provoke the Arsenal fans in the bars, and the two sides began chanting at each other until bottles were thrown from both sides around 16:00. Football and Leedss financial collapse made Ridsdale persona non grata at Elland Road but George says his mums face lit up when she heard that he was being interviewed for this article. His brother was following behind us and, quite understandably, he lost it. Loftus had been stabbed five times and Speight twice. Its completely different. The man named as the prime suspect in the killings, a cafe owner named Ali Umit Demir, was arrested by Turkish police within days and he and three other Turks were later convicted in court. It was our way of making sure the cameras and the world took notice of us.. Confusion reigned. Galatasaray 2 - 1 Fraport TAV Antalyaspor MORE. [45] It later arose that the majority of the people in the photos were either not involved or had been acting in self-defence. After travelling to the Turkish capital to follow the club, Mr Speight and Mr Loftus were attacked with machetes when a row broke out between rival fans. Leeds fans RAGING at Ezgjan Alioski transfer links to Galatasaray Absolutely amazed and totally stunned. The Turkish. I went for some counselling and didnt go through with all of it but the charity work helped. ', By On each trip he would set up a desk in the corridor where the team were staying, a point of contact in case of any problems. What they were seeing was pretty graphic so we said to them, Turn the tellies off, go to bed and wait for us to get some proper details. The footage was grainy and frightening, capturing a helpless Loftus with bloodstains on his shirt. I respect the Loftuses for fighting, 100 per cent. Turk admits stabbing murdered Leeds fan | Soccer | The Guardian The problem shouldn't have been Alioski or his next club, it's how Galatasaray dealt with that tragedy By Phil Hay Jul 24, 2021 In the early hours of the morning after the death of two Leeds. UEFA, after a week of consideration, agreed with Leeds. The images are so vivid in Peter Ridsdales mind that he can describe every aspect of the hospital where Speight and Loftus were taken after they were attacked. [27], At Parken Stadium, where the final was to be played, the police erected iron fencing outside to separate the Arsenal and Galatasaray fans as a precaution. But in the light of day, the sun hits it and the sparkle lingers. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . Massive riots Galatasaray - Leeds / Arsenal 2000 - YouTube Others that the Turks precipitated it by throwing chairs. Exclusive: Leeds icon Martyn on 21st anniversary of Galatasaray murders The away supporters responded with songs about two Leeds fans who were stabbed to death in Istanbul prior to a fixture against Galatasaray in 2000. . It makes me proud. Like his father, George has the nickname Spag. Its a strange thing but its important to me. Chris and Kevin were brutally murdered in Istanbul on the eve of our UEFA Cup semi-final fixture with Galatasaray in 2000. And others, like Eddie Gray and Ian Harte, have moved on with their lives. Harry Kewell is in front of him, carrying a ball and looking bewildered. Leeds fans have reacted furiously to reports that Ezgjan Alioski has agreed to move to Galatasaray. Mr Loftus from a plunging wound to his heart; Mr Speight, a few hours later after receiving a wound the length of his stomach. They know what he did for us.. I didnt catch everything but I heard enough. The Loftus family gave up on campaigning for justice in Turkey because they did not think the system cared about them. Gray, one of OLearys assistants, tried to focus his attention elsewhere. [20], Then, in a calculated attack, approximately 500 Arsenal fans[19] attacked from the main road behind the Galatasaray fans. We catch up at the cafe in an Asda store near his home in Killingbeck and he speaks bravely but reluctantly; not because he wants to but because he thinks he should, for the sake of his brother Chriss memory. They thought we were looking for a sporting advantage, which is just incredible. It was a load of shit. One wrote: 'If Alioski goes there, his high regard and reputation with Leeds fans is destroyed!! [19] The Danish police then moved in to separate the fans, and moved the Galatasaray fans back towards the square. Maybe, he says, and his voice tails off. Christopher's brother was there [at the time of the incident] and I think that the impact on those two families can never be underestimated.". With CCTV evidence, four men were indicted for murder within a week, including Ali Umit Demir, at whose flat the police found a knife stained with the blood of both victims. [29], In all, four people were stabbed during the riots: two English, one Turkish and one Dutch fan. That decision drew much criticism, as well it might. On April 5 2000 two Leeds fans, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, were stabbed to death before the 2000 Uefa Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray in Taksim Square, Istanbul. Anywhere else in Europe, I doubt it would have been played. [30] A Danish police officer[22] and a Turkish cameraman were also injured in the riots. [14] The Arsenal fans left the bar to confront the Galatasaray fans, which led to a fight lasting for an hour before riot police managed to control it and arrested four Britons and four Turks. I stood there with Eddie Gray, Fallows says. You dont take much notice of whats said because youre out there for a beer and a laugh. They carried beer glasses outside, we couldn't stop them, and others followed." I didn't know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item #respect. I think those who arrived later knew what to expect.". Wed spoken about doing something beforehand, he says. The events of the day started early in the morning when skirmishes broke out in a bar, which led to an Arsenal fan being stabbed. There was a sense of relief to be leaving, he says, but I knew that flying out of Istanbul wasnt the end of it. He was seven when Speight died, his sister Holly two. Galatasaray player apologises to Leeds fans for knife tweet [41] It was noted by Turkish newspaper, Radikal that cannabis was being freely traded in the city square during the time before the riots, and the police did nothing about it. I can only go on what my mum said, but my dad was nothing like that. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". Though the versions of Leeds fans and Turkish witnesses are almost entirely at odds, it appears the trouble started in the city's entertainment district outside the Riddim reggae bar in Buyuk Parmakkapi Street. Your choice, the official replied. Asked shortly afterwards whether he thought the tie would still go ahead, Mr Ridsdale said: "It's too early to say. The police claim he was punched. [44], In the United Kingdom, the Daily Mirror newspaper printed pictures of Arsenal fans alleged to have been part of the violence. If someone could have shown me those levels of intimidation, Id have refused to play the game unhesitatingly. If you ask me now if I made the right or wrong decision by playing it, I still dont know, Ridsdale says. Those April nights were as close as Leeds will get to it. Peter Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman, had been dining with directors from Galatasaray when reports of trouble came through. On the 20th anniversary of their deaths, he said: "I suffered quite badly after it happened. Even now I get the feeling that people think we started it, Andy says. galatasaray leeds death. "It's just a bit of a rollercoaster ride really but we get by," he said. When youre seven you cant process something like that, can you? When the press came round, me and my cousin would bounce on my bed to try and get in the photos and in the papers. The police were knocking everyone about, says Paul Holmes, a friend of the Loftuses who was in Taksim Square when the violence broke out. Two lives lost and two lives wasted, for nothing. He said getting involved in charity work and fundraisers, including running half-marathons in memory of his brother, had helped him to deal with his sibling's death. The routine for Andy and others who went abroad with Leeds was always the same: straight to the hotel, straight into town, straight on the beer. The 2000 UEFA Cup Final Riots, also known as the Battle of Copenhagen,[1] were a series of riots in City Hall Square, Copenhagen, Denmark between fans of English football team Arsenal and Turkish team Galatasaray around the 2000 UEFA Cup Final on 17 May 2000. It was weird because when we got in the car, the game (Galatasaray versus Leeds) had just started and was on the radio, Andy says. David Davies, the Football Association's executive director, called it "frankly, the least worst option". Twenty Leeds fans, witnesses to the fight, were interviewed. Following the two tragic deaths, local police arrested and charged four Galatasaray supporters with murder. He visited his fathers body in the chapel of rest across the road, bringing pictures he had drawn for him with felt tips. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. As a free agent, he had a decision to make about how best to look after himself with his 30th birthday coming next year (and in the end, looking after himself meant joining Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia last night). The police told us themselves that the shoe-shine boys had been trailing us for a while, waiting to see when some of us had split away from the main group.. Follow Phil on Twitter @PhilHay_, George and Holly Speight with Peter Ridsdale after their fathers death. I feel sorry for her, George says. Galatasaray away on April 6, 2000; a huge occasion for the club in a football sense, Ridsdale says. Can you list the top facts and stats about 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence? Theyd been seeing each other for about six months.. Gala is an awful football club and Alioski is an awful footballer. Andy is one of six siblings, two sisters and four brothers, and all of the boys Phil, Chris, Darren and Andy made the trip to Turkey. Six people were arrested and three Metropolitan Police officers were injured. I had joked with him and said, At least youll be safe. He gave me a look and said, Or maybe not., The attitude as far as I could see was, Lets intimidate these lads and see what happens. Leeds back then had a lot of kids in their squad. Twenty years on from Istanbul: the night when football became murder It might be fair to say that the events of 2000 are a reason to dissuade a footballer with ties to Leeds from engaging with Galatasaray but not necessarily to prohibit him from signing, especially as time goes by. Loftus had been stabbed five times and Speight twice. [10][12] This led to the final being considered "high risk"; 2,000 members of the Danish police were assigned to the game, with assistance from members of British and Turkish police forces. They knocked back as much Elfe (lager), Jack Daniels and Bacardi as I could pour.". It is wrong to presume to tell those who were affected by the events in Istanbul how to feel or how to react to a player taking Galatasarays money. The shadow of Istanbul is longer for Andy Loftus. The set of knives, emblazoned with Galatasaray's colours, are produced by Dutch firm Senvi and are available for 22. Galatasaray.org
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