The road to justice for the Speight and Loftus families was long and demoralising. 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. You dont take much notice of whats said because youre out there for a beer and a laugh. My mum always says the same: Hed gone out there for the football, nothing else. The Football Associations David Davies said playing the game was the least worst option. If you ask me now if I made the right or wrong decision by playing it, I still dont know, Ridsdale says. ', While a third posted: 'They suit each other. Demir lost his last appeal in 2010 and was jailed for six years and eight months. 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. The day after the riots, FA Executive Director David Davies, issued an apology for the violence. By the time the match kicked off, the ramifications of two fatal stabbings the previous. Ridsdale agreed to send his wife and other officials back but instructed a car to take him and Spencer to Taksim Hospital. People speak well of him. My mum flicked it straight off again. Over a coffee in Starbucks, George Speight finds a way to be philosophical about his fathers death. [18] Later, large numbers of Galatasaray fans congregated in Copenhagen's City Hall Square, raising the Turkish flag in the square. Try a week on us. 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. [17] This came after Arsenal had warned the police before the final that there could be hooligans travelling to Copenhagen. As. Matt White tweeted: "Wesley Sneijder tweeting a personalised Galatasaray knife set on the 15th anniversary of the murder of 2 Leeds fans in Istanbul? 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. A fortnight ago, Ridsdale was voted onto the EFLs board. Maybe, he says, and his voice tails off. Exclusive: Leeds icon Martyn on 21st anniversary of Galatasaray murders Peter Ridsdale, the chairman who guided Leeds through the tragedy, is approaching 70. Tributes began to cover the gates and the Billy Bremner Statue at Elland Road. Manchester United and Chelsea had contested European ties at the Ali Sami Yen previously and voiced complaints about their treatment, so Fallows increased the size of Leedss usual security detail from three to five as a precaution. [42] Arsenal fans also criticised the police, claiming that they had been slow to intervene and were "too soft" on the hooligans. [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. 11 Feb 02 | Europe Turkish justice moves slowly . "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. I tried telling Galatasarays staff to get them out. 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 police did nothing, in fact they were helping them beat us up." Galatasaray 2 - 1 Fraport TAV Antalyaspor MORE. He rushed to Taksim hospital, near where the men were stabbed. I jumped in a taxi and went back to Taksim Square., He has no recollection of how he came to be at Taksim Hospital, only that he found himself there after being told that the fighting had been serious. Thats what they were, kids. 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. Twenty Leeds fans, witnesses to the fight, were interviewed. I could see in their faces how much they were raging, Fallows says. It triggered something and I ran into the ward. So Leeds did. 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 death of the two Leeds fans in street fighting in central Istanbul on Wednesday turned Galatasaray's Ali Sami Yen Stadium into an armed camp, with 10,000 police patrolling in and around the . 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 the Leeds fans do not see it that way. A week or so later, we lost 4-0 to Arsenal. We were just trying to control the worst situation imaginable.. Another supporter who tried to resuscitate Chris was hit with batons. 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. One minute youre coming out of a bar, the next youve got people running to attack you. Menu It is his life and his career, much as the option of Galatasaray was incapable of arising without anyone passing comment. They just looked at me like I was stupid.. It was a haunting moment then and it haunts me now. Harry Kewell - Wikipedia Send your story ideas to yorkslincs.news@bbc.co.uk. Leeds and Galatasaray have an extremely volatile relationship following the death of two Leeds supporters prior to the UEFA CUp semi-final back in 2000. In Turkey, two supporters were murdered. Spencer stepped in and paid with his personal credit card. Any time I think about what happened, I ask the same question. He started shouting for Christopher to wake up. Nicolo Zaniolo signed on a permanent deal MORE. I feel everything: anger, sadness. Some claimed the English sparked it by throwing beer glasses at passing women pedestrians. That deal took Kewell back to a stadium where he and Leeds once needed protection with riot shields. For George, the clearest memories of his dad are few and slightly random. 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 . They will never be forgotten.. When the second leg came round, in the dressing room we were trying to say, Come on, lets get stuck into them. But in the back of your mind youre putting football aside. Acquittal plea in soccer death trial. The blood had to be sourced externally and to do that, someone had to pay. Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to 12 months. 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. 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. ', And: 'Alioski can f*** off, he obviously knows the history between the two clubs.'. They knocked back as much Elfe (lager), Jack Daniels and Bacardi as I could pour.". [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. Ali Sami Yen stadium should even go ahead. Leeds fans have reacted furiously to reports that Ezgjan Alioski has agreed to move to Galatasaray. Galatasaray supporters, despite everything that had gone on, were pelting the buses and trying to smash the windows. I just said to them, Good luck., Galatasarays reputation went before them. For players and supporters alike, this has become one of the most fraught and difficult venues in Europe. The Turkish. From my point of view I was only interested in getting that game over and done with as safely as possible. His financial record at Leeds was dismal and Leeds never forget about it. And worse things too. Rory Carroll in Istanbul and Martin Wainwright. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans being banned from attending the second leg in England. Leeds fans furious as Alioski's move to Galatasaray nears completion Galatasaray - Detailed squad 22/23 | Transfermarkt "Their chanting should make Ali Sami Yen [the Galatasaray stadium] hell for Leeds United.". 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 Holmes says Andy was the life and soul of the party before Istanbul but the impact of Chriss death was severe. "We did amazing business in one hour. Early relaxation gave way to brutal battle as rivals taunted each other, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. I was getting into trouble, drinking and fighting. Galatasaray accused him of trying to gain an unfair sporting advantage. But eventually the issue of what to do about the game had to be addressed. 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 respect the Loftuses for fighting, 100 per cent. 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. He was seven when Speight died, his sister Holly two. [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. 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. galatasaray leeds death And thats without even mentioning what had gone on the night before with the two lads who were killed. Galatasaray fans entered the area shortly afterwards which precipitated a fight between the two sets of supporters. Everything happened in a flash. 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. 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. Four men were arrested and charged with their murders. The problem shouldn't have been Alioski or his next club, it's how Football is sport here and for many Istanbul residents Galatasaray - who won the league last Sunday - is football. I got a lot of abuse for that and no wonder. Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed in Istanbul on the eve of Leeds' Uefa Cup semi-final tie against Galatasaray in April 2000. There was a sense of relief to be leaving, he says, but I knew that flying out of Istanbul wasnt the end of it. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Galatasaray tragedy will stay with Leeds United and Eirik Bakke forever It was how away days in Europe played out. 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. I stopped getting involved eventually, Andy says. Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. 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. For me, it didnt feel real. It was a lad from Shipley who I knew, Andy says. The interview included vague expressions of regret but no apology to Speight and Loftus or their relatives. 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. A lot of what the police were doing was pure intimidation, Fallows says. Disgusting. Past present or future..', A second added: 'Would much rather see one of the u23s get a chance at lb than Alioski for the rest of the season. George is aware of some of the details but has tried not to dig too deeply. I dont know if the club encouraged them to do that but you were well aware of objects hitting the shields. I had no idea where we were going or why we were going there, he says. Leeds and Galatasaray fans clashed in violent scenes 21 years agoat 21:00 in Istanbul's Taksim Square. Welcome to Hell, Galatasaray liked to say. Andy has paid for the plaque to be cleaned a couple of times and it could do with another polish now. The Loftus family gave up on campaigning for justice in Turkey because they did not think the system cared about them. It was totally deliberate. 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. Your choice, the official replied. A streetwise Mancunian, he has looked after Oasis, Noel Gallagher and Take That and on the morning when we speak hes at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, organising staff for a gig by The Script. Without his help, my mum would have been a bit lost, George says. 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'. You mention him over Farsley way and people respect him. Amid the fall-out and a world of shock in Leeds, Ridsdale suggested that the second leg at Elland Road would be safer without away fans. 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. 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. Even so, the counterargument holds water. Anyone can read what . 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. The Turkish media blamed the Leeds fans. I knew the ramifications would be life-long., (Photo: Phil Noble PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images), Ali Sami Yen previously and voiced complaints about their treatment, so Fallows increased the size of Leedss usual security detail from three to five as a precaution. He was eight when the deaths occurred and he was 25 when he came to England as a professional. I dont know why.. No question.. How the violence started is unclear. Leeds fans RAGING at Ezgjan Alioski transfer links to Galatasaray It's a fantastic city and I'm willing to learn. The Ibrox disaster was a tragedy, an accident, he says. 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.". He liked a drink and a laugh, simple as that, Andy says. Then a good mate of mine appeared and said thered been a bit of trouble. But he didnt make much of it, like it was something of nothing. The first I knew of it was when they came out to tell me. Wesley Sneijder, a Dutch international who . Ali Umit Demir, was arrested by Turkish police within days and he and three other Turks were later convicted in court. Their policing of City Hall Square in the days running up to the final was described as "non-existent" by Dineen. Galatasaray 2-1 Trabzonspor MORE. Leeds will on Saturday afternoon mark 15 years since the deaths of supporters Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were stabbed by a Galatasaray fan in April 2000. 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. Im not sure Ive even processed it now. Ridsdale can visualise it all 21 years on: the lay-out of the hospital, the chaos inside, the panicked confusion. He had been involved in the plane crash which Leeds players and coaches escaped from on the way home from a Premier League game at West Ham United in 1998. Galatasaray.org Ali Umit . Obviously he liked his football too. 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. #RIPChrisAndKev. Devastated., The next 24 hours were a blur. He wasnt one of them who tried to cause trouble. Our Daz was there and he told me the full story. Those April nights were as close as Leeds will get to it. 15:32 EST 23 Mar 2021. 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. Galatasaray away on April 6, 2000; "a huge occasion for the club in a football sense," Ridsdale says. The loss ofKevin Speight and Christopher Loftus is still felt incredibly deeply and the feud between the clubs remains. [2] The events happened at 22:00 in Istanbul's Taksim Square during a fight between Leeds fans and Galatasaray fans. 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. For Leedss staff and players, the details of what had occurred in Taksim Square the night before remained sketchy until after full-time. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . He previously worked for the Yorkshire Evening Post as its chief football writer. The Loftuses fought for justice for as long as they could. Staff said many fans were drunk by 10pm, intimidating Turkish families drinking in the lounge. "Most were kind, but there were five or six really crazy guys. They ordered us to pump up the volume, so we did," said Mr Dedeler, 24. It sounds daft but I dont think I knew how to react. "Maybe they thought they were being funny but to Turks who do not speak good English, it was very offensive.". I thought about Graeme Souness running and planting a Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch at Fenerbahce. [28] In Turkey, nine people were accidentally shot and injured by Galatasaray fans firing guns in celebration despite police warning them not to. 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. Galatasaray's Wesley Sneijder apologises to Leeds fans over knife set That decision drew much criticism, as well it might. 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. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? From 5pm local time more than 100 Leeds fans had arrived shouting, singing and demanding beer, according to Batu Dedeler, the bar owner. Ridsdale is someone the Speights hold in high regard. It felt to me like the police were trying to frighten us, he says. 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. The Turkish police didnt give a shit about us. They stressed as delicately as they could the importance of staying indoors. It didnt sit right with me. I think you just go into a downward spiral. junio 12, 2022. abc news anchors female philadelphia . Even now I get the feeling that people think we started it, Andy says. Others that the Turks precipitated it by throwing chairs. Hed just met a girl. [13], On the Wednesday at 1:00, Galatasaray fans attacked a bar in Strget in Copenhagen, where some Arsenal fans were located. [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 brothers went to the British Embassy but, in Andys words, found them to be worse than useless. By 10.30pm some of the rowdiest fans left the James Joyce and joined a crowd outside McDonalds just off Taksim Square. Its completely different. Speight and Loftus were not close friends but knew each other in passing, as travelling football fans do. Its that attitude of, They must have gone looking for it. All the stuff about cars being tipped over, us disrespecting their women if youd been there, youd know. Two lives lost and two lives wasted, for nothing. ', By I feel sorry for her, George says. They didnt care., The Speights were different and left the criminal cases alone. There were reports that a Galatasaray fan had run to a telephone to call for support when he saw Leeds fans arriving. on the 20th anniversary of the killings in Istanbul. They carried beer glasses outside, we couldn't stop them, and others followed." 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. 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. "Kevin had two young children. 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. He died in an operating theatre in the early hours of the morning, despite Leeds United paying for blood supplies to be rushed to him. Bitexen Giresunspor 0 - 4 Galatasaray MORE. [24] It was claimed that the police failed to control the riots,[43] and that they had been undermanned and outmaneuvered, to which Mogens Lauridsen, the police chief in Copenhagen admitted that the police had been "under-prepared". Andys last memory of Chris is of him rolling his eyes sarcastically and ribbing him for leaving early, in brotherly style. UEFA also requested that fences be put up around the perimeter of the pitch.