There is very little about the football which Ridsdale cares to remember and at the 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. I can only go on what my mum said, but my dad was nothing like that. Following the two tragic deaths, local police arrested and charged four Galatasaray supporters with murder. 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. 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. The Loftuses had travelled to Turkey on the same flight as David OLearys players. But he was not and the atmosphere was initially warmer than normal. 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. Twenty Leeds fans, witnesses to the fight, were interviewed. Ridsdale and Leedss operations director, David Spencer, were at a floating restaurant on the Bosphorus when they were phoned to tell them trouble in the centre of Istanbul had resulted in at least two fans being hospitalised. I tried telling Galatasarays staff to get them out. Asked shortly afterwards whether he thought the tie would still go ahead, Mr Ridsdale said: "It's too early to say. By The second leg was totally different. Then you turn around and Kevin and Chris are lying there., In the hospitals waiting area, Andy overheard a voice saying that one of the fatalities was one of the four brothers. [17], Throughout the day large numbers of fans, both English and Turkish, were seen throughout the city and at the airport. We switched on the telly and it was all over the news, George says. Scuffles broke out but the police moved in and fans scattered. Welcome to Hell, Galatasaray liked to say. Football riots in City Hall Square, Copenhagen, Denmark (May 2000). The plaque on the wall by Elland Roads East Stand says Never Forgotten and Leeds United swore themselves to those words. He had been up all night receiving news of the stabbings, inflicted during violence which broke out on the eve of a UEFA Cup tie between Leeds and 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. [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. He had travelled to the hospital where injured fans were being treated and arranged payment for a blood transfusion for Kevin Speight, one of the two who died. (Main photo of Kevin Speight with his son George and daughter Holly). The pair were met by angry, upset and bewildered groups. The images of that never grow old. It is 10 years since he last went to the grave. Both had numerous other wounds. [44], In the United Kingdom, the Daily Mirror newspaper printed pictures of Arsenal fans alleged to have been part of the violence. I like that they remember him. For me, it didnt feel real. Youre a kid. galatasaray leeds death; marfan criteria calculator; galatasaray leeds death. The Turkish media blamed the Leeds fans. Hed just met a girl. A fortnight ago, Ridsdale was voted onto the EFLs board. I think those who arrived later knew what to expect.". [42] Arsenal fans also criticised the police, claiming that they had been slow to intervene and were "too soft" on the hooligans. 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. 11 Feb 02 | Europe Turkish justice moves slowly . Your mind was elsewhere., Harte also felt a delayed reaction. From my point of view I was only interested in getting that game over and done with as safely as possible. They thought we were looking for a sporting advantage, which is just incredible. 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. 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 were using very bad language," said Abdul Garlad, a manager. on the 20th anniversary of the killings in Istanbul. Its completely different. Ill hear them saying, Thats Kevin Speights lad and I like that. Try a week on us. Later in the day, Galatasaray fans occupied City Hall Square before heading towards Arsenal fans in bars nearby. Fallows is a security guard with ample experience. Leeds have never forgiven Eric Cantona for . Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to 12 months. There was a sense of relief to be leaving, he says, but I knew that flying out of Istanbul wasnt the end of it. But eventually the issue of what to do about the game had to be addressed. The bodies were repatriated a few days later, beginning the process of mourning and funerals. Andy has paid for the plaque to be cleaned a couple of times and it could do with another polish now. 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. Try a week on us. The way the police and the authorities were with us. There isnt much that unnerves me but that was quite a scary moment. Arsenal qualified for the final by defeating French club Lens in their semi-final. 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. He liked a drink and a laugh, simple as that, Andy says. One minute youre coming out of a bar, the next youve got people running to attack you. Can you list the top facts and stats about 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final violence? The road to justice for the Speight and Loftus families was long and demoralising. Spencer interrupted dinner to advise Ridsdale that they should return to the hotel immediately. 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. "There was nothing in the days running up to this match to suggest there would be this level of violence," Mr Hunt said. For players and supporters alike, this has become one of the most fraught and difficult venues in Europe. sauce pizza and wine mac and cheese. [32] The rest were fined an equivalent of $500 and banned from Denmark for a year.[33]. Right up to the attack, I didnt see any trouble. Other fans in Istanbul spoke of isolated incidents here and there but nothing serious. I am happy and I hope everyone else can be too. They then broke into an apartment building to threaten Kosovan refugees with a knife, mistakenly believing them to be Turkish. 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. He started shouting for Christopher to wake up. I didnt want to be standing there telling them what to do and I understood that they didnt want to hear it. [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. UEFA also requested that fences be put up around the perimeter of the pitch. The only thing I could compare it to is the One Love concert in Manchester (held after the terrorist bombing at the Manchester Arena in 2017) and thats purely because of how difficult the logistics of One Love were, he says. My mum flicked it straight off again. Thats just how the system worked. [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. Speights son, George, is no longer the cheeky kid with floppy hair smiling brightly in the photograph of his father he digs out. More importantly, we needed to find out what state the two lads were in and whether we could help them.. "Maybe they thought they were being funny but to Turks who do not speak good English, it was very offensive.". Mr Loftus's brother Andy said: "I know it may seem a long time but it's still very much like yesterday really.". "Their chanting should make Ali Sami Yen [the Galatasaray stadium] hell for Leeds United.". It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall. 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. Galatasaray supporters, despite everything that had gone on, were pelting the buses and trying to smash the windows. 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. The police were knocking everyone about, says Paul Holmes, a friend of the Loftuses who was in Taksim Square when the violence broke out. Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed in Istanbul on the eve of. lisa left eye zodiac sign Search. Galatasaray 2 - 1 Fraport TAV Antalyaspor MORE. The complication here is that football has no right to dictate how people manage a grievance that goes so far beyond standard rivalry. 13:02 EST 23 Mar 2021 Ridsdale still struggles to accept Galatasarays indifferent reaction to 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. 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. [36], In August 2000, Arsenal banned thirty-seven people involved in the Copenhagen riot from Arsenal's Highbury stadium. George understands why but wishes with hindsight that he had been there. He rushed to Taksim hospital, near where the men were stabbed. 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. But it was common sense. This morning the Dutch international tweeted: "Finally my GalatasaraySK knife set is now available and can be delivered everywhere.". For a couple of days afterwards you run on adrenaline, he says. 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. Anger: Leeds fans are angry that Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder has announced a new knife range on the 15th anniversary of the stabbing of two fans in Istanbul, Violence: An injured fan is taken away after riots between Leeds and Galatasaray fans before match in Turkey, Horror: A fan is escorted away from the violence by a police officer after riots between Leeds and Galatasaray fans. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . [45] It later arose that the majority of the people in the photos were either not involved or had been acting in self-defence. David Davies, the Football Association's executive director, called it "frankly, the least worst option". 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. [26] There were further clashes at the airport the day after the game. Former club legend Harry Kewell previously soured his relationship with Leeds fans after moving to Galatasaray from Liverpool in 2008. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England. The connection was not comparable to Kewells. Fatih Terim, Galatasaray's coach, had whipped up his side's supporters. 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. Everything happened in a flash. 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. 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. In the context of football, that era was phenomenally good: Leeds in Europe and another trip to the continent always waiting around the corner. I thought about Graeme Souness running and planting a Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch at Fenerbahce. Ali Umit . 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. Some claimed the English sparked it by throwing beer glasses at passing women pedestrians. I looked at Eddie, he looked at me, we smiled a nervous smile and both said the same thing: Lets go.. You dont take much notice of whats said because youre out there for a beer and a laugh. [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. Everything about that whole occasion was shocking. But he didnt make much of it, like it was something of nothing. 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. Kevin Fallows was the clubs head of security and travelled with the players to all their fixtures in Europe. One wrote: 'If Alioski goes there, his high regard and reputation with Leeds fans is destroyed!! Your choice, the official replied. Looking at it from where the fans were standing, Id have been as angry as them. The security guard who was in Turkey with the clubs players and directors is into his 50s and taking it easy after neck surgery. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". He sees it now as a necessary shock to the system. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans . 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. . In its opinion, contesting the game was the least worst option. That decision drew much criticism, as well it might. [6] Demir was later found guilty of murder and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, but released in 2004. The Galatasaray fans were later attacked from behind by members of British hooligan firms seeking revenge for the Istanbul stabbings. My sisters had a word and told me to sort myself out. My mum always says the same: Hed gone out there for the football, nothing else. They all say no. The design of the place meant the Leeds players had to take a long walk to the tunnel, flanked by armed police. The day after the riots, FA Executive Director David Davies, issued an apology for the violence. 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. Galatasaray football player Wesley Sneijder has released a commemorative knife set - on the 15th anniversary of the fatal stabbing of two Leeds fans by Turkish supporters. Another supporter who tried to resuscitate Chris was hit with batons. The police did nothing, in fact they were helping them beat us up." I didn't know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item #respect. 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. Gray, a Glaswegian, was in the Celtic end with his wife Linda on the day of the Ibrox disaster in 1971. 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. It was a haunting moment then and it haunts me now. But if you back out, youll forfeit the game and incur a 3-0 defeat. It felt to me like the police were trying to frighten us, he 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. Follow Phil on Twitter @PhilHay_, Leeds players needed protection from police with riot shields before their game against Galatasaray in 2000 (Photo: Steve Mitchell/EMPICS via Getty Images). A lot of what went on I dont want to know. He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. 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. I dont know if the club encouraged them to do that but you were well aware of objects hitting the shields. People know me because of my dad, he says. "Kevin had two young children. 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. 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. I went for some counselling and didnt go through with all of it but the charity work helped. He was eight when the deaths occurred and he was 25 when he came to England as a professional. CATEGORIES . They ordered us to pump up the volume, so we did," said Mr Dedeler, 24. 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. Thats what they were, kids. Chris and Kevin were brutally murdered in Istanbul on the eve of our UEFA Cup semi-final fixture with Galatasaray in 2000. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . Within an hour of the stabbings in central Istanbul, some of David OLearys squad emerged to speak to him. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Ali Sami Yen was in a league of its own in atmosphere terms, aggressive and ferocious for visiting sides. Then you get your head around whats actually happened. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. But in the light of day, the sun hits it and the sparkle lingers. For George, the clearest memories of his dad are few and slightly random. [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. ", Jack Connolly added: "That Wesley Sneijder knife launch is disgusting, scum of the earth.". [25] The British fans were later released without charge but were forbidden from returning to Denmark. ", "They came to kill; Turk fans arm for war", "Arsenal worried about hooligans at UEFA Cup", "First class thugs; Postmen are caught in Copenhagen football rampage", "Post Office refuses to reinstate worker", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2000_UEFA_Cup_Final_riots&oldid=1113653919, Pages containing links to subscription-only content, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 October 2022, at 15:57. So Leeds did. I think you just go into a downward spiral. 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. I was getting into trouble, drinking and fighting. And thats without even mentioning what had gone on the night before with the two lads who were killed. Those killed were "attackers", it said. The interview included vague expressions of regret but no apology to Speight and Loftus or their relatives. Send any friend a story. Two lives lost and two lives wasted, for nothing. The Loftus family gave up on campaigning for justice in Turkey because they did not think the system cared about them. There was nothing you could say to him. [28] In Turkey, nine people were accidentally shot and injured by Galatasaray fans firing guns in celebration despite police warning them not to. Galatasaray accused him of trying to gain an unfair sporting advantage. No one meant for it to happen. 'There were a lot of other clubs out there but this is perfect for me. 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. 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. He had been in touch with the Turkish authorities, and with Chief Superintendent Steve Matthews from West Yorkshire police, who travels abroad with Leeds fans on away trips, and his team of three or four officers acting as "spotters".