Your choice, the official replied. The English FA followed the line of least resistance. 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. 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. By 10.30pm some of the rowdiest fans left the James Joyce and joined a crowd outside McDonalds just off Taksim Square. There was the time when the pub opened its doors early to allow the locals to catch an early kick-off between Leeds and Manchester United. A Galatasaray player who endorsed a set of knives as Leeds United paid tribute to fans fatally stabbed before a game against his club has apologised. He was taken to identify the other, Chris Loftus, in the morgue after doctors mistook him for a family member. At this juncture, it should be said that Kewell and Alioski were not identical. Anywhere else in Europe, I doubt it would have been played. I dont think, even to this day, that Galatasaray would see the amount of press coverage or criticism as being fairly labelled against them, Risdale says. Alioski had less of a cross to bear. Read about our approach to external linking. Demir was allowed to undertake national service with the Turkish military before being convicted for a second time in June 2007 and sentenced to 80 months. Forty Leeds fans arrested in the scuffles were released without charge. I am just trying to come to terms with the fact that I have seen a dead body for the first time in 10 years. He was eight when the deaths occurred and he was 25 when he came to England as a professional. He was seven when Speight died, his sister Holly two. Galatasaray fans entered the area shortly afterwards which precipitated a fight between the two sets of supporters. The brothers went to the British Embassy but, in Andys words, found them to be worse than useless. Riots and 2 English deaths around UEFA Cup matches Galatasaray from Turkey against English teams in 2000 Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. When we got to the bottom of the stairs they pulled out a drawer, a bit like a filing cabinet, and Christophers body was there. 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). Istanbul was life and death and more than focusing on Alioski himself, the attention on him generated by the very prospect of a move to Turkey itself should make us ask why it was ever allowed to come to this; a horrific episode which offered no chance of peace or proper closure. They stressed as delicately as they could the importance of staying indoors. As kick-off drew near, the drums and the noise from the stadium filtered down to the Ali Sami Yens subterranean dressing rooms. [5] As a result of the stabbings, Leeds United banned Galatasaray fans from attending the second leg at Elland Road, claiming that the safety of fans could not be guaranteed. Association with the tragedy can be difficult. I heard the rumours that some Leeds fan wiped his arse with a Turkey flag and things like that but people tell me none of its true. 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. "We did amazing business in one hour. We had to say to them as clearly as we could, If you go into the streets, if you go out drinking, we cant tell you how dangerous itll be. He just happened to run into some tossers with knives., George was so young that the aftermath almost strayed into boyhood adventure. ', And: 'Alioski can f*** off, he obviously knows the history between the two clubs.'. Loftus had been stabbed five times and Speight twice. The loss ofKevin Speight and Christopher Loftus is still felt incredibly deeply and the feud between the clubs remains. Hello Hell, We Are Leeds, read one banner carried by fans piling through Istanbul airport on Wednesday night. The police did nothing, in fact they were helping them beat us up." But in the light of day, the sun hits it and the sparkle lingers. The friend who arranged their trips abroad organised for them to fly home via Brussels. Obviously he liked his football too. They had no direct contact with Galatasarays security officials but Fallows and Harry Stokoe, Leedss stadium manager, were able to visit the Ali Sami Yen the day before the game to map the venue out. Two Leeds fans were stabbed to death by Galatasaray supporters before game Leeds fans have reacted furiously to reports that Ezgjan Alioski has agreed to move to Galatasaray. It wasnt a proper A&E unit. "Most were kind, but there were five or six really crazy guys. And others, like Eddie Gray and Ian Harte, have moved on with their lives. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? By then, you knew exactly what had gone on and you knew the severity of it. That decision drew much criticism, as well it might. In the case of Loftus brother Andy, he prefers not to make a big deal of his surname for fear of the questions that might follow; the feeling of being always on show. Mr Loftus from a plunging wound to his heart; Mr Speight, a few hours later after receiving a wound the length of his stomach. We werent talking about Leeds General Infirmary. Speights treatment failed to save him. [38], In 2013, Arsenal invited Galatasaray to compete at their annual Emirates Cup tournament. Scuffles broke out but the police moved in and fans scattered. Around them, riot police are standing with shields in the air, protecting the players from what Fallows says was all sorts of things smashing off them. Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. That is true. Everything about that whole occasion was shocking. [32] The rest were fined an equivalent of $500 and banned from Denmark for a year.[33]. It felt to me like the police were trying to frighten us, he says. Surprise me? Both had numerous other wounds. 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. For some of it we were relying on the police and the authorities without knowing if they were going to do the right things. Before England played Turkey in a European Championship qualifier in Istanbul in 2003, Englands staff got in touch with Fallows to ask for logistical advice. Trust us, this is only going to get worse., It didnt go down well, and I got that. Galatasaray accused him of trying to gain an unfair sporting advantage. Bowyer leads out the Leeds team as the first leg went ahead (Photo: Steve Mitchell/EMPICS via Getty Images), A minutes silence is observed before the return leg at Elland Road (Photo: Steve Mitchell/EMPICS via Getty Images). Football riots in City Hall Square, Copenhagen, Denmark (May 2000). [8], The stabbings caused anger throughout the United Kingdom, and subsequently members of Arsenal's hooligan firms The Herd and The Gooners,[9] wanted to avenge the deaths of the Leeds fans, and telephoned other British hooligan firms, inviting them to join them in Copenhagen to attack Galatasaray fans. After a long legal process in Turkey, four men were jailed in 2010. I was totally speechless, totally shocked. 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 . 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. 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. on the 20th anniversary of the killings in Istanbul. [13], On the Wednesday at 1:00, Galatasaray fans attacked a bar in Strget in Copenhagen, where some Arsenal fans were located. Picture gallery: A black night for football, Fans urged to take steps to raise charity funds at home of Bradford City, Josh Richardson remains in critical condition after Thailand crash, Rob Burrow: Shock as vandals target Leeds Beckett Student Union mural dedicated to Leeds Rhinos legend, New data reveals train commuters spend up to 2450 more a year than car-owning colleagues, Wakey Wines viral TikTok shop owner responds after police drugs raid: All we sell is Prime & WFD sweets, Lonely Leeds man bravely reaches out for friends on Facebook as hundreds offer support and love, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". It was totally deliberate. , updated Last year, on the 20th anniversary of the killings in Istanbul, The Athletic spoke to some of the people closest to the tragedy and some of the people most affected by it. Harry Kewell is in front of him, carrying a ball and looking bewildered. For me, it didnt feel real. [12] However, there were conflicting reports, with claims that some Galatasaray fans were instigating some of the violence. Hed just met a girl. The police warned a postponement could cause more trouble. 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. Tuesday 5th April 2022 marks 22 years since two loyal Leeds United supporters, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, travelled to Turkey to watch their beloved team in action but tragically never returned home. 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. Jesus. At least nine other people, including six Leeds fans, were injured. Leeds have never forgiven Eric Cantona for . Early relaxation gave way to brutal battle as rivals taunted each other, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. He was on the scene as the club grieved and as much as any other of David OLearys players, he was in a position to fully comprehend both the impact of the killings and Galatasarays response to them. 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. Then you get your head around whats actually happened. They will never be forgotten.. [42] Arsenal fans also criticised the police, claiming that they had been slow to intervene and were "too soft" on the hooligans. The first I knew of it was when they came out to tell me. He liked a drink and a laugh, simple as that, Andy says. Kewell grew up in Leeds academy and was in the starting line-up for both legs against Galatasaray. I looked at Eddie, he looked at me, we smiled a nervous smile and both said the same thing: Lets go.. But if you back out, youll forfeit the game and incur a 3-0 defeat. [6] Demir was later found guilty of murder and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, but released in 2004. [18] Later, large numbers of Galatasaray fans congregated in Copenhagen's City Hall Square, raising the Turkish flag in the square. This morning the Dutch international tweeted: "Finally my GalatasaraySK knife set is now available and can be delivered everywhere.". [30] In total, nineteen people were injured and sixty people were arrested,[27] with 15 of the arrested being subsequently banned from attending Euro 2000. Susan chose not to take the children to Speights funeral. They had no direct contact with Galatasarays security officials but Fallows and Harry Stokoe, Leedss stadium manager, were able to visit the Ali Sami Yen the day before the game to map the venue out. This year is the 20th anniversary of the mens deaths in Istanbul and many of their relatives carry those events as if they happened yesterday. I dont know if the club encouraged them to do that but you were well aware of objects hitting the shields. [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. Without his help, my mum would have been a bit lost, George says. British fans were outnumbered and chased up side streets. I went off the rails, he says. "There's a lot of anger. Holmes was there and witnessed the entire away end turning their backs to the pitch with arms raised, an act of silent defiance and dissent. Convention required the directors of the clubs involved in a European tie to share a meal with UEFA delegates the night before the game and Galatasaray arranged the gathering, not far from the Kempinski Hotel where Leedss players and directors were staying. "Their chanting should make Ali Sami Yen [the Galatasaray stadium] hell for Leeds United.". The driver said hed turn it off but I wanted to listen to it. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. It is part of Leeds Uniteds fabric and it will never disappear: the night when football became murder and so many lives were changed. Leeds and Galatasaray fans clashed in violent scenes in April 2000 at 21:00 in Istanbul's Taksim Square Following the two tragic deaths, local police arrested and charged four Galatasaray. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Others suggested a group of Leeds supporters had attacked a lone Turk, possibly a taxi driver, who had then returned with a mob wielding knives and machetes. In the early hours of the morning after the death of two Leeds United supporters in Istanbul, Peter Ridsdale met with a delegate from UEFA at one of the citys police stations. He visited his fathers body in the chapel of rest across the road, bringing pictures he had drawn for him with felt tips. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . 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. They phoned their parents back home but the media had already informed them of Chriss death. The shadow of Istanbul is longer for Andy Loftus. They ordered us to pump up the volume, so we did," said Mr Dedeler, 24. It takes a certain amount of nerve to put a foot in both camps, which is doubtless why Harry Kewell was able to do so in 2008 when he left Liverpool for the Ali Sami Yen. Football is sport here and for many Istanbul residents Galatasaray - who won the league last Sunday - is football. "They came into town to see. 13:02 EST 23 Mar 2021 The Loftus family gave up on campaigning for justice in Turkey because they did not think the system cared about them. And worse things too. 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. Asked shortly afterwards whether he thought the tie would still go ahead, Mr Ridsdale said: "It's too early to say. So Leeds did. 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. Ali Sami Yen was in a league of its own in atmosphere terms, aggressive and ferocious for visiting sides. [17] This came after Arsenal had warned the police before the final that there could be hooligans travelling to Copenhagen. It was completely against your idea of law and order. At the hotel, Phil went up to his room. The 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence in Istanbul, Turkey, between fans of English football team Leeds United and Turkish team Galatasaray before the first match of the UEFA Cup semi-final on 5 April 2000, led to two Leeds fans being stabbed to death by Galatasaray fans. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. [4], It was not clear how the fight started, with reports of it either being started by Leeds fans throwing beer glasses and insulting the Turkish flag,[5] or being started by Galatasaray fans throwing chairs. For a couple of days afterwards you run on adrenaline, he says. [17], Throughout the day large numbers of fans, both English and Turkish, were seen throughout the city and at the airport. Over a coffee in Starbucks, George Speight finds a way to be philosophical about his fathers death. [22] The riots did not spread to the stadium, although there was an attempt to pull down the fences by fans heading towards the Arsenal area of the stadium before police stopped them. In the weeks after the deaths, he offered them emotional and financial assistance (the family declined to take any money) and would phone Susan regularly to keep in touch. When the Turkish club flew over for the return leg two weeks later, an occasion as venomous and bitter as any Elland Road has hosted, they railed against Ridsdales request that their fans be banned from travelling. Those April nights were as close as Leeds will get to it. Me and the security team tried to create a bit of a cushion between them so the players werent worried about getting batoned, Fallows says. [25] The British fans were later released without charge but were forbidden from returning to Denmark. [19] The Danish police then moved in to separate the fans, and moved the Galatasaray fans back towards the square. 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. Squad Galatasaray This page displays a detailed overview of the club's current squad. People speak well of him. Chris and Kevin were brutally murdered in Istanbul on the eve of our UEFA Cup semi-final fixture with Galatasaray in 2000. Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to 12 months. Theyd been seeing each other for about six months.. Follow Phil on Twitter @PhilHay_, George and Holly Speight with Peter Ridsdale after their fathers death. OFFICIAL DONATION CAMPAIGN FOR THE VICTIMS OF EARTHQUAKE MORE. My mum always says the same: Hed gone out there for the football, nothing else. Four men were arrested and charged with their murders. You were dealing with young lads and the last thing you wanted to do was scare them.. lisa left eye zodiac sign Search. Arsenal qualified for the final by defeating French club Lens in their semi-final. Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed during street clashes the night before Leeds played Turkey's Galatasaray in the second leg of the Uefa Cup semi-finals in April 2000. ', Some wrote stronger messages, such as: 'Washed my hands with Alioski if he f***s off to those vermin. Devastated., The next 24 hours were a blur. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. More importantly, we needed to find out what state the two lads were in and whether we could help them.. There was a sense of relief to be leaving, he says, but I knew that flying out of Istanbul wasnt the end of it. The Turkish police didnt give a shit about us. Looking at it from where the fans were standing, Id have been as angry as them. The police were knocking everyone about, says Paul Holmes, a friend of the Loftuses who was in Taksim Square when the violence broke out. The eggs were massive and I was chuffed to bits with mine, he says. Gray remembers OLeary going out of the team hotel to visit a barbers for a shave beforehand. From my point of view I was only interested in getting that game over and done with as safely as possible. Istanbul was like no other event he has dealt with. You dont take much notice of whats said because youre out there for a beer and a laugh. After taking stock, he got involved with the cancer charity Candlelighters and helped raise almost 150,000 for local hospital facilities. Some Arsenal fans reacted negatively to the news, claiming that there was still bad blood between the two sets of supporters and were concerned that there would be a resumption of hostilities between them.[51]. The Turkish. [35] In response, Prime Minister Tony Blair stated: Hopefully this threat will bring to their senses anyone tempted to continue the mindless thuggery that had brought such shame to the country.[35].
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