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Four charged with murder Leeds boss lashes out; UEFA decision due Wednesday
Posted: Monday April 10, 2000 01:41 PM
ISTANBUL, Turkey (AP) -- Five Turkish men were jailed Monday in connection with the stabbing deaths of two English soccer fans on the eve of last week's UEFA Cup semifinal in Istanbul between Leeds United and Galatasaray. Four of the men were charged with the murder and the fifth was held on lesser charges in connection with the crime. Three others were also charged in connection with the killings and were released pending trial. Ten others questioned were released on Monday. The slain fans, Christoper Loftus and Kevin Speight, died in street clashes in downtown Istanbul last Wednesday just 24 hours before Galatasaray defeated Leeds 2-0 in the first-leg match. Turkish accounts said many of the English fans were drunk and provoked the violence, harassing women on the streets and making obscene gestures with the Turkish flag. English fans said they were ambushed by Turkish youths armed with knives who were out to stir up trouble. Turkish newspapers said at least five of the suspects had criminal records for knife assaults, theft, and selling tickets on the black market. At least one is reported to have confessed. As the murder charges were filed in Turkey, Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale lashed out at the Galatasaray club, saying it was "showing a lack of respect" and being "opportunistic." Ridsdale wants Galatasaray fans to be barred from the April 20 second-leg in Leeds, hoping to head off any further violence. Galatasaray has suggested the game be played at a neutral venue or that Leeds fans be banned from the Elland Road stadium. UEFA, the governing body of European soccer, said Monday it would announce Wednesday whether Turks will be barred from the match. UEFA has also asked Leeds whether it could guarantee security "if Turkish supporters were admitted to the stadium." In addition, UEFA said it asked Leeds for an "assessment of security implications" if Turkish supporters were to arrive in Leeds but were denied entry into the stadium. Galatasaray general secretary Sinan Kalpakcioglu said the club would wait for Leeds' response before deciding whether to seek a neutral venue or ask that Leeds fans also be banned. Galatasaray officials are angry at Leeds for warning fans against going to the match. "The suspects are in the hands of justice... and will be punished," said Galatasaray Chairman Faruk Suren. "The issue should not be turned into a blood feud." Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman, hit back and said Galatasaray should pull out of the competition if its fans are banned from Elland Road. "I think that's the best thing they can do frankly because Galatasaray, since it happened, appear to me to have been opportunistic," he said. "They have been trying to find any means possible to get through to the final without kicking a football." The UEFA Cup final is May 17 in Copenhagen. "I just wish they Galatasaray would stand one step back and realize the impact that the events of Wednesday have had and at least show some respect, which at the moment appears to be lacking," Ridsdale added. "The only thing that seems to be happening is to see every loophole and opportunity to get through to the final, whilst undermining everything Leeds United have tried to do, and I think that's unfortunate." Risdale said Galatasaray should forget about bringing its fans. "They should turn up as a team, with their officials," he said. "They will be afforded every respect and given every opportunity to savor the hospitality which is afforded to any visiting club, and whatever the result it should stand." "But to try and undermine what we wish to have, which is a return leg at Elland Road without any risk to any individual no matter what nationality, I feel saddened by the response."
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