Hello Hell, We Are Leeds, read one banner carried by fans piling through Istanbul airport on Wednesday night. , updated At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. And it is far too late to redress that now. 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. [17], Throughout the day large numbers of fans, both English and Turkish, were seen throughout the city and at the airport. "Most were kind, but there were five or six really crazy guys. 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. That is true. Mr Loftus from a plunging wound to his heart; Mr Speight, a few hours later after receiving a wound the length of his stomach. Leeds' bitter hatred towards the Turkish side is no secret after two of their supporters, Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, were stabbed to death by Galatasaray fans prior to the UEFA Cup. 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. You ask them one by one if 20 years have helped them process what happened. Leeds fans furious as Alioski's move to Galatasaray nears completion Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United.
15:32 EST 23 Mar 2021. 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. This led to 19 injuries, including 4 stabbings, and 60 arrests with similar events occurring in England and Turkey in the aftermath of the riots. Try a week on us. [30] A Danish police officer[22] and a Turkish cameraman were also injured in the riots. The Galatasaray fans were later attacked from behind by members of British hooligan firms seeking revenge for the Istanbul stabbings. It was a lad from Shipley who I knew, Andy says. 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence - Wikipedia 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. I am not sure if the first few expected fighting but I saw one guy running to a telephone to call his friends after he saw the English. [16] Dineen was released from hospital later in the day and attended the match as a guest of the Arsenal directors. I respect the Loftuses for fighting, 100 per cent. "They came into town to see. Forty Leeds fans arrested in the scuffles were released without charge. The second leg was totally different. 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 potential for trouble was as high as anything Id been involved in. Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed in Istanbul on the eve of. The friend who arranged their trips abroad organised for them to fly home via Brussels. We looked up the steps and all you could see at the top was the dark sky and riot shields around the entrance to the pitch. My mum just felt she had to move on. Scuffles broke out but the police moved in and fans scattered. 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. galatasaray leeds death. He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. My sympathy was with them. Fallows is convinced that Galatasaray and the Turkish police made deliberate attempts to rattle and unsettle away teams, forcing players to squeeze through tight lines of officers to gain entry to the ground and admitting thousands of home fans to the stadium hours before kick-off. 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. Galatasaray.org A couple of lads came back to the hotel on their own and when I asked where the rest of them were, they didnt know. I thought about Graeme Souness running and planting a Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch at Fenerbahce. They didnt care., The Speights were different and left the criminal cases alone. Speights son, George, is no longer the cheeky kid with floppy hair smiling brightly in the photograph of his father he digs out. Galatasaray player apologises to Leeds fans for knife tweet Four men were arrested and charged with their murders. [38] The photos led to some postmen working for Royal Mail losing their jobs because they had been seen in the photos and in television coverage,[46] even though they had not been arrested. They knocked back as much Elfe (lager), Jack Daniels and Bacardi as I could pour.". Soon, they arrived at a flight of steps and a spot which would generate one of the lasting images of the entire tragedy. Following the two tragic deaths, local police arrested and charged four Galatasaray supporters with murder. [40], The Danish police were also criticised for their handling of the riots. 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. The loss ofKevin Speight and Christopher Loftus is still felt incredibly deeply and the feud between the clubs remains. Its a game. One of 13 Turks arrested in Istanbul has confessed to stabbing Leeds United fan Christopher Loftus, whose body is expected . [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 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 . They felt we were overreacting. In all the many layers of anger, that was one of them; the apparent inability to adopt some common decency. He must have been off his head., Ian Harte, the left-back, is more vivid in describing it. The Football Associations David Davies said playing the game was the least worst option. The brothers went to the British Embassy but, in Andys words, found them to be worse than useless. How the violence started is unclear. 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]. 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. 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. There was a sense of relief to be leaving, he says, but I knew that flying out of Istanbul wasnt the end of it. That decision drew much criticism, as well it might. I make no secret of that., Leeds were beaten 2-0 in Istanbul and lost over two legs after a 2-2 draw at home. Galatasaray - Detailed squad 22/23 | Transfermarkt UEFA also requested that fences be put up around the perimeter of the pitch. He wasnt one of them who tried to cause trouble. ", Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. The stadium is stuck in a state of eerie silence but this Sunday it will do what it always does on April 5 by standing in salute to the two who were lost. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. 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. The images of that never grow old. Peter Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman, had been dining with directors from Galatasaray when reports of trouble came through. Kewell was quoted after joining Galatasaray as saying that to blame Galatasaray for the tragedy in Istanbul is simply wrong and discriminatory. We had hundreds of fans in Turkey, some in the air and another plane due to fly the following morning (the morning flight out from Leeds-Bradford Airport was rapidly cancelled). By
I dont want to imply criticism of the hospital for that, Ridsdale says. Galatasaray beat English team Leeds United but their matches were marred by violence: two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death before their semi-final first leg at Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium in Istanbul on 6 April 2000. Andy got a pint at the bar. In fact, the Leeds United supporters, arriving for the first leg of their Uefa Cup semi-final with Galatasaray, were at first greeted in a way which mostly belied the Welcome to Hell banners which have traditionally greeted English teams there. [19] The Danish police then moved in to separate the fans, and moved the Galatasaray fans back towards the square. Follow Phil on Twitter @PhilHay_, George and Holly Speight with Peter Ridsdale after their fathers death. This caused a severe riot in the city square, with several restaurant facilities used by fans to fight each other, with iron bars and knives also being used. Its the most terrified Ive ever been, he says. I knew the ramifications would be life-long.. It is 10 years since he last went to the grave. A week or so later, we lost 4-0 to Arsenal. Thats just how the system worked. [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. Andy was jailed in 2013 for his part in a fight between Leeds and Tottenham Hotspur fans in which a Spurs supporter was knocked unconscious. The connection was not comparable to Kewells. When they landed at Leeds-Bradford airport, a Leeds United club car was waiting to pick them up from the runaway, avoiding the cameras waiting inside. But in the light of day, the sun hits it and the sparkle lingers. I like that they remember him. They stressed as delicately as they could the importance of staying indoors. I dont think a single one of the lads wanted to play that night.. On the 20th anniversary of their deaths, he said: "I suffered quite badly after it happened. 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. . 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. [12] However, there were conflicting reports, with claims that some Galatasaray fans were instigating some of the violence. 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. Can you list the top facts and stats about 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence? The set of knives, emblazoned with Galatasaray's colours, are produced by Dutch firm Senvi and are available for 22. Whether this should dictate a transfer like the one Alioski was asked to ponder is a matter of opinion. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Within a year, however, Demir, following an appeal, was a free man after his conviction was quashed and a re-trial ordered. It didnt sit right with me. lisa left eye zodiac sign Search. It sounds daft but I dont think I knew how to react. At the hotel, Phil went up to his room. "When you see a man having to identify the body of his brother with a massive stab wound in his chest it just isn't what you'd associate with football.". 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. As chairman of Leeds, he told the UEFA official that it would make sense to postpone the first leg of the semi-final which Leeds and Galatasaray were about to play. It is regarded as a significant act of betrayal by many fans for a Leeds player to join Galatasaray. It triggered something and I ran into the ward. Has to be the biggest DO NOT for any Leeds player!! Leeds supporters who were present denied causing trouble and the UK coroner who presided over the inquest, David Hinchliff, stated in unequivocal terms that Speight and Loftus were the innocent victims of a deliberate ambush. The families of the victims will tell you that. [50] In 2012 Piers Morgan, the editor of the Daily Mirror at the time and a high-profile Arsenal fan who attended the match, apologised for printing the pictures. I didnt feel that their response was what our response would have been. As kick-off drew near, the drums and the noise from the stadium filtered down to the Ali Sami Yens subterranean dressing rooms. Spencer stepped in and paid with his personal credit card. Give our social media channels a follow . Hed just met a girl. 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. [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. Even now I get the feeling that people think we started it, Andy says. Gjanni Alioski Leeds to Galatasaray transfer talks end for - TEAMtalk More importantly, we needed to find out what state the two lads were in and whether we could help them.. 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. Jesus. [26] There were further clashes at the airport the day after the game. I was so pleased to get on the plane out of Turkey but once I got back and thought about things, the reality of two lads dying out there got to me. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans . "Their chanting should make Ali Sami Yen [the Galatasaray stadium] hell for Leeds United.". Even so, the counterargument holds water. Galatasaray fans entered the area shortly afterwards which precipitated a fight between the two sets of supporters. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". Eddie Gray is crouching down as he runs up from underground and into the open air. The plaque on the wall by Elland Roads East Stand says Never Forgotten and Leeds United swore themselves to those words. 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. He has a busy job as an electrician and a twinkle in his eye. But he didnt make much of it, like it was something of nothing. My sisters had a word and told me to sort myself out. It was a load of shit. It was a haunting moment then and it haunts me now. Turkish eye-witnesses accused Leeds fans of insulting women, defacing the Turkish flag, urinating in the street and tipping over a car. Witnesses said he had been bludgeoned by police as he cradled a dying Chris in the street.
The problem shouldn't have been Alioski or his next club, it's how I think those who arrived later knew what to expect.". It was the same at the second leg when I had to stand and look after Galatasarays main man at Elland Road. "This was a premeditated attack," said Steve Wilkinson, who suffered knife wounds to one leg and a wound to his hand. 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. At no stage between arriving at the hospital and Leeds playing the first leg against Galatasaray the following night did Ridsdale sleep. I was getting into trouble, drinking and fighting. Fallows is a security guard with ample experience. Another supporter who tried to resuscitate Chris was hit with batons. ', Some wrote stronger messages, such as: 'Washed my hands with Alioski if he f***s off to those vermin. 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. ', And: 'Alioski can f*** off, he obviously knows the history between the two clubs.'. Gray, a Glaswegian, was in the Celtic end with his wife Linda on the day of the Ibrox disaster in 1971. Early relaxation gave way to brutal battle as rivals taunted each other, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. They just looked at me like I was stupid.. The Ali Sami Yen was in a league of its own in atmosphere terms, aggressive and ferocious for visiting sides. 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. Ali Sami Yen, the stadium was so overcrowded that he had Galatasaray fans in front of him literally sat on my feet. The next day, he and Leeds players and coaching staff reached the airport, climbed on a plane and flew home. Send any friend a story. [48] In 2001, the tribunal ruled in their favour,[49] and ordered Royal Mail to reinstate them. [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. In contrast, what Leeds saw in Galatasaray was a baffling lack of sympathy. Spencer interrupted dinner to advise Ridsdale that they should return to the hotel immediately. The Ibrox disaster was a tragedy, an accident, he says. 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. Given that context and these examples only really scratch the surface of everything that happened in April 2000 there was no way in which a player like Gjanni Alioski could consider leaving Leeds and joining Galatasaray, as he did for many months, without bracing himself for a tense political path and the objection he encountered online. Looking at it from where the fans were standing, Id have been as angry as them. 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. It is unobtrusive and reads simply: In memory of Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight who died tragically in Istanbul, April 5th 2000. [3] Leeds fans had been drinking in bars reportedly taunting local people and Turkish police intervened to stop fights breaking out. Tributes began to cover the gates and the Billy Bremner Statue at Elland Road. The cause of the fighting which broke out after dark in Istanbul was a subject of fierce contention in the weeks after the stabbings. 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. "We came out of a bar and there were 100 people waiting for us with machetes, knives, bits of chair and table legs and they just attacked us. Twenty years on from Istanbul: the night when football became murder I prefer to remember that way. George is a regular at Leeds games but until his teens he would wait outside the stadium at the home fixture closest to the April 5 anniversary while a minutes applause played out. They ploughed on regardless, much like UEFA, and left Ridsdale thinking that their directors were more worried about distancing themselves from the stabbings than helping Leeds cope with them. One of our security lads had to go with the bus to a compound, some sort of a lock-up. Turkish police, according to British of ficials, appeared to be taking the killings as seriously as they would hope. "Kevin had two young children. 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. Speight and Loftus were not close friends but knew each other in passing, as travelling football fans do. Leeds had taken over an entire corridor at the five-star Kempinski and the squad were in their rooms, ready to sleep ahead of the game the next night. 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. UEFA, after a week of consideration, agreed with Leeds. Trust us, this is only going to get worse., It didnt go down well, and I got that. Staff said many fans were drunk by 10pm, intimidating Turkish families drinking in the lounge. How can it be that two lads go to watch a football game and dont come back?. He just happened to run into some tossers with knives., George was so young that the aftermath almost strayed into boyhood adventure. By last night's kick-off, the pools of blood, shattered glass and debris had been cleared away. The first I knew of it was when they came out to tell me. Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. [31] Nineteen of the arrested were British, thirty-six were Turkish and the rest of the arrested included people from Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands. His financial record at Leeds was dismal and Leeds never forget about it. galatasaray leeds death. Both had numerous other wounds. He can picture the facade as he entered and the floorplan of the area where other injured Leeds fans had congregated; where Speight lay on an operating table, desperate for surgery. By the time the match kicked off, the ramifications of two fatal stabbings the previous evening were rapidly sinking in and for those who were closest to it, the images wont fade. 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. At this juncture, it should be said that Kewell and Alioski were not identical. No one meant for it to happen. In its opinion, contesting the game was the least worst option. Others that the Turks precipitated it by throwing chairs. This morning the Dutch international tweeted: "Finally my GalatasaraySK knife set is now available and can be delivered everywhere.". Uefa, after consultation with the clubs and the Turkish authorities, wavered but eventually decided to go ahead. Loftuss brother Andy jokes that he had thicker hair back in the day. If someone could have shown me those levels of intimidation, Id have refused to play the game unhesitatingly. Ill hear them saying, Thats Kevin Speights lad and I like that. There was nothing you could say to him. They then broke into an apartment building to threaten Kosovan refugees with a knife, mistakenly believing them to be Turkish. He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month.