I think those who arrived later knew what to expect.". 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. That deal took Kewell back to a stadium where he and Leeds once needed protection with riot shields. Holmes says Andy was the life and soul of the party before Istanbul but the impact of Chriss death was severe. The families of the victims will tell you that. Others that the Turks precipitated it by throwing chairs. Gala is an awful football club and Alioski is an awful footballer. 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. "It's just a bit of a rollercoaster ride really but we get by," he said. 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. But when it came to Istanbul, he and the club were remarkable in reacting quickly and with compassion. The deaths led to an angry reaction in England with Galatasaray fans . "We did amazing business in one hour. Trust us, this is only going to get worse., It didnt go down well, and I got that. They had been a couple since their teens. In contrast, what Leeds saw in Galatasaray was a baffling lack of sympathy. I just said to them, Good luck., Galatasarays reputation went before them. Ridsdale is someone the Speights hold in high regard. [18] Later, large numbers of Galatasaray fans congregated in Copenhagen's City Hall Square, raising the Turkish flag in the square. I didnt feel that their response was what our response would have been. [32] The rest were fined an equivalent of $500 and banned from Denmark for a year.[33]. ", Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day's key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox. After a while, Andys eldest brother Phil complained of feeling ill and the two of them decided to go back to their hotel. The friend who arranged their trips abroad organised for them to fly home via Brussels. [16] Dineen was released from hospital later in the day and attended the match as a guest of the Arsenal directors. But if you back out, youll forfeit the game and incur a 3-0 defeat. [18] Arsenal fans congregated in nearby bars. 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. "Most were kind, but there were five or six really crazy guys. The first I knew of it was when they came out to tell me. 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). It was horrible. We tried to raise awareness but it was a farce. People know me because of my dad, he says. 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. 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. 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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The Loftuses fought for justice for as long as they could. I didnt want to do it either. Galatasaray advance to Ziraat Trkiye Kupas . If someone could have shown me those levels of intimidation, Id have refused to play the game unhesitatingly. It is unobtrusive and reads simply: In memory of Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight who died tragically in Istanbul, April 5th 2000. In 2014 he was spoken to by a Turkish website, a free man again. 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He started shouting for Christopher to wake up. It triggered something and I ran into the ward. Absolutely amazed and totally stunned. Kevin Fallows was the clubs head of security and travelled with the players to all their fixtures in Europe. They knew there had been trouble but the club made an effort to hold back some detail on the basis that if the game went ahead, they would need to concentrate on it. 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. She remarried and shes carried on with her life but its still there, every time you come up to my dads birthday or the anniversary. Another supporter who tried to resuscitate Chris was hit with batons. A fortnight ago, Ridsdale was voted onto the EFLs board. He rushed to Taksim hospital, near where the men were stabbed. And worse things too. By 10.30pm some of the rowdiest fans left the James Joyce and joined a crowd outside McDonalds just off Taksim Square. We had a coach for the players and a coach for the directors, he says. 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. And thats without even mentioning what had gone on the night before with the two lads who were killed. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I dont want to imply criticism of the hospital for that, Ridsdale says. We could only do what we thought was best at that moment. The journey to the stadium prior to kick-off made him wish he had forfeited it and taken the consequences. George is aware of some of the details but has tried not to dig too deeply. [44], In the United Kingdom, the Daily Mirror newspaper printed pictures of Arsenal fans alleged to have been part of the violence. Speight and Loftus were not close friends but knew each other in passing, as travelling football fans do. So Leeds did. They then broke into an apartment building to threaten Kosovan refugees with a knife, mistakenly believing them to be Turkish. 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. 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. They have nothing but good words for Ridsdales conduct and nothing but gratitude for his support. Acquittal plea in soccer death trial. As injured and angry Leeds fans came through, he did what he could. 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. The police claim he was punched. The city centre was tense but, thanks to a massive police presence, mainly empty. CATEGORIES . His brother was following behind us and, quite understandably, he lost it. [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. 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. 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. 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. 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. He said getting involved in charity work and fundraisers, including running half-marathons in memory of his brother, had helped him to deal with his sibling's death. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Leeds always kept records of who was travelling and which hotels they were using. Within an hour of the stabbings in central Istanbul, some of David OLearys squad emerged to speak to him. Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to 12 months. They thought we were looking for a sporting advantage, which is just incredible. Over a coffee in Starbucks, George Speight finds a way to be philosophical about his fathers death. 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. [21] This lasted 20 minutes[19] before the Danish police attempted to break up the melee with dogs[22] and tear gas. 12/02/2021 . 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. If the thought of a transfer like that sits uncomfortably then perhaps it should. When they came back to Elland Road they thought our request for no away fans was inappropriate. ', While a third posted: 'They suit each other. It was completely against your idea of law and order. 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. Loftus had been stabbed five times and Speight twice. The Ibrox disaster was a tragedy, an accident, he says. They all say no. on the 20th anniversary of the killings in Istanbul. 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. And I still blame myself a lot.. 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. The way the police and the authorities were with us. [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. How can it be that two lads go to watch a football game and dont come back?. Eddie Gray is crouching down as he runs up from underground and into the open air. 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. [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]. It sunk in quickly once we got home. 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. Jesus. 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. . Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. It sounds daft but I dont think I knew how to react. Any time I think about what happened, I ask the same question. [30] A Danish police officer[22] and a Turkish cameraman were also injured in the riots. But the Leeds fans do not see it that way. Phil grew up near Edinburgh in Scotland and is a staff writer for The Athletic, covering Leeds United. George has no recollection of his dad leaving for Istanbul or of him saying goodbye. 11 Feb 02 | Europe Turkish justice moves slowly . The day after the riots, FA Executive Director David Davies, issued an apology for the violence. The Turkish media blamed the Leeds fans. Nicolo Zaniolo signed on a permanent deal MORE. [20], After the match, which Galatasaray won 41 on penalties, approximately 300 Arsenal fans in the Finsbury Park area of Islington in London attacked Turkish restaurants and businesses, with bottles being used to break windows. It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall. The deaths of Kevin Speight and Chris Loftus on the night before Leeds played their Uefa Cup semi-final first leg with Galatasaray - 20 years ago yesterday - represent one of the darkest and. Some headed for the James Joyce pub 200 metres away and joined a sing-song against Galatasaray. I thought about Graeme Souness running and planting a Galatasaray flag in the middle of the pitch at Fenerbahce. [25] The British fans were later released without charge but were forbidden from returning to Denmark. 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. British fans were outnumbered and chased up side streets. By that stage he was exhausted. zhuri james net worth 2021 / low carb ground beef and spinach recipes / low carb ground beef and spinach recipes 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. 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. 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. Thats what they were, kids. The brother of one of two Leeds United fans killed in Turkey 20 years ago says his death is "still fresh in my memory". There isnt much that unnerves me but that was quite a scary moment. Two lives lost and two lives wasted, for nothing. You dont get it.. (Main photo of Kevin Speight with his son George and daughter Holly). The eggs were massive and I was chuffed to bits with mine, he says. [45] It later arose that the majority of the people in the photos were either not involved or had been acting in self-defence. It didnt sit right with me. Witnesses said he had been bludgeoned by police as he cradled a dying Chris in the street. [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. Ali Umit . Football authorities condemned the riots and threatened to expel national football teams from European competition if such events happened again. Further information on the Istanbul violence: "Tragedy that awaited two fans on a journey to hell", "16 Hardcore Hooligan Firms, Ultras Groups We Wouldn't Want to Mess with", "Soldiers join hooligans to attack Turks in Cup clash", "Town in fear as drunken English pour in", "Arsenal-Galatasaray, sous le signe de la violence", "English, Turkish fans clash on eve final", "Copenhagen police overrun as soccer fans cause mayhem", "Folkefest endte i vold og masseslagsml", "Surprise attack by Arsenal fans seeking revenge sparked battle", "Violence erupts again as English and Turkish football fans riot in Copenhagen", "Danish police fear more brawls after European soccer final", "Violence overshadows historic soccer victory", "Charleroi lobby yet to learn lessons of Heysel", "Turkish and English fans clash at airport", "Galatasaray Wins UEFA Cup After Day of Rioting by Fans", "England told: more rioting and you're out", "Piers Morgan On Arsenal, Foreign Ownership and Twitter Rants", "SPORTS - The shadow on the UEFA Cup triumph", "How long until Turk fans cause another death on the pitch? They just looked at me like I was stupid.. [26] There were further clashes at the airport the day after the game. 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. [6] Demir was later found guilty of murder and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, but released in 2004. #RIPChrisAndKev. It felt to me like the police were trying to frighten us, he says. I got a lot of abuse for that and no wonder. The cause of the fighting which broke out after dark in Istanbul was a subject of fierce contention in the weeks after the stabbings. 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. 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. 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. David Davies, the Football Association's executive director, called it "frankly, the least worst option". 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. [29], In all, four people were stabbed during the riots: two English, one Turkish and one Dutch fan. ", "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. Later in the day, Galatasaray fans occupied City Hall Square before heading towards Arsenal fans in bars nearby. 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. The Turkish. The Danish police were also criticized for their mishandling of the riots. She knows who he was but its not the same.. They ordered us to pump up the volume, so we did," said Mr Dedeler, 24. It was our way of making sure the cameras and the world took notice of us.. Ridsdale can visualise it all 21 years on: the lay-out of the hospital, the chaos inside, the panicked confusion. If you ask me now if I made the right or wrong decision by playing it, I still dont know, Ridsdale says. It was totally deliberate. I dont know if the club encouraged them to do that but you were well aware of objects hitting the shields.
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