At the hotel, Phil went up to his room. But where Galatasaray failed, and where Ridsdale specifically felt resentment, was in grasping the scale of the tragedy and in refusing to accept that violence on the streets and a UEFA Cup tie could not be classed as unrelated events once the worst had happened. "It's just a bit of a rollercoaster ride really but we get by," he said.
Maybe, he says, and his voice tails off. Nigel Martyn has exclusively told LeedsUnited.News that playing against Galatasaray in the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000 - just 24 hours after the murders of two Leeds fans - is to this day, his biggest regret in football. It felt to me like the police were trying to frighten us, he says. Chelsea 1-0 Leeds LIVE: Blues finally find the breakthrough as Wesley Fofana heads home the opener in the second half in a game Graham Potter really needs to win as Brighton and Aston Villa . Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Peter Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman, had been dining with directors from Galatasaray when reports of trouble came through. The away crowd emptied after Rangers late equaliser without realising what had unfolded inside the ground. (Main photo of Kevin Speight with his son George and daughter Holly). Ridsdale was told by staff at the hospital that Speight was in a critical condition and needed an urgent transfusion but that the blood had to be paid for. He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. If the thought of a transfer like that sits uncomfortably then perhaps it should. Galatasaray away on April 6, 2000; "a huge occasion for the club in a football sense," Ridsdale says. [38] In Turkey, the media portrayed Galatasaray fans as acting in self-defence, with criticism directed at the British fans for allegedly attacking members of the press. The setting was Turkeys biggest city, on the banks of the Bosphorus, and the game was the first leg of a UEFA Cup semi-final. In the context of football, that era was phenomenally good: Leeds in Europe and another trip to the continent always waiting around the corner. 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. ', While a third posted: 'They suit each other. Leeds and Galatasaray fans clashed in violent scenes 21 years agoat 21:00 in Istanbul's Taksim Square. 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. 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. We tried to raise awareness but it was a farce. He was showered with stickers and sweets gifts from friends who lived locally and Ridsdale, who supported both families throughout, delivered Easter eggs to the house for him and Holly. Early relaxation gave way to brutal battle as rivals taunted each other, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Jesus. Life is good. 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. I looked at Eddie, he looked at me, we smiled a nervous smile and both said the same thing: Lets go.. One minute youre coming out of a bar, the next youve got people running to attack you. Im not sure Ive even processed it now. In 2014 he was spoken to by a Turkish website, a free man again. The fan responded: "If you did not know then fair enough but your club certainly did and they should be ashamed of themselves. And many have voiced their opinion on social media following a report by Football Insider that Alioski has agreed a pre-contract to join the rivals in the summer. 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. And worse things too. I like that they remember him. Both had numerous other wounds. [39] Later on, British media blame also transferred towards Galatasaray fans. sauce pizza and wine mac and cheese. Galatasaray accused him of trying to gain an unfair sporting advantage. That deal took Kewell back to a stadium where he and Leeds once needed protection with riot shields. I didnt want to do it either. 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. Galatasaray 3-2 HangiKredi mraniyespor MORE. Ali Sami Yen stadium should even go ahead. The day after the riots, FA Executive Director David Davies, issued an apology for the violence. Leeds head of security at the game recalled police officers lining the corridors in Galatasarays ground as the players emerged from the dressing room; an attempt, in his eyes, to intimidate them as they prepared to go onto the pitch. [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. 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. 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. They will never be forgotten.. [37] Leeds United also banned three of their fans from Elland Road after they had been identified in pictures of the riots. Those April nights were as close as Leeds will get to it. Speight arrived soon after and was seen chatting to midfielder Alan Smith as they walked through the breezy foyer at Ataturk Airport. I dont think a single one of the lads wanted to play that night.. Its a strange thing but its important to me. 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 Thats just how the system worked. Ill be careful here but I have to say that I felt uncomfortable welcoming Galatasarays delegates to Elland Road. 'There were a lot of other clubs out there but this is perfect for me. The Turkish. Wed heard that Istanbul could be a bit dangerous but we never thought anything of it, Andy says. 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. The Ali Sami Yen was in a league of its own in atmosphere terms, aggressive and ferocious for visiting sides. No one meant for it to happen. Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were killed in Istanbul, Turkey, in April 2000, Their deaths had left a "lasting impact" on their families, a former Leeds United chairman said. 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. 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. So Leeds did. And there was the time when Speight took him to Elland Road and George, in his infancy, mistakenly cheered when the opposition scored. [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. "They were using very bad language," said Abdul Garlad, a manager. "This was a premeditated attack," said Steve Wilkinson, who suffered knife wounds to one leg and a wound to his hand.
Another supporter who tried to resuscitate Chris was hit with batons. I dont know why.. 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.". The second leg was totally different. [44], In the United Kingdom, the Daily Mirror newspaper printed pictures of Arsenal fans alleged to have been part of the violence. Speights son, George, is no longer the cheeky kid with floppy hair smiling brightly in the photograph of his father he digs out. Even then, it was meant to be closed to the press but loads of them were there and they were being really intrusive, Fallows says.
The problem shouldn't have been Alioski or his next club, it's how 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. Its the most terrified Ive ever been, he says. 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. 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. But in the light of day, the sun hits it and the sparkle lingers. I prefer to go to the plaque at Elland Road, he says. You dont take much notice of whats said because youre out there for a beer and a laugh. One of our security lads had to go with the bus to a compound, some sort of a lock-up. ', Some wrote stronger messages, such as: 'Washed my hands with Alioski if he f***s off to those vermin. Can you list the top facts and stats about 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence? They know what he did for us.. They have nothing but good words for Ridsdales conduct and nothing but gratitude for his support. Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed in Istanbul on the eve of. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England. [17], Throughout the day large numbers of fans, both English and Turkish, were seen throughout the city and at the airport. [2]
galatasaray leeds death The Football Associations David Davies said playing the game was the least worst option.
Abigail Mack Obituary,
Shaw Hub Yodel Location,
Lady Vols Basketball Recruiting,
100 Facts About Rosa Parks,
Midheaven In Virgo Career,
Articles G