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Tough decision UEFA will issue ruling on Leeds match Wednesday
Posted: Tuesday April 11, 2000 11:58 AM
LONDON (AP) -- Galatasaray team officials said Tuesday it was up to UEFA -- and not Leeds United -- to decide if Turkish supporters can attend next week's second-leg UEFA Cup semifinal in Leeds in the wake of the stabbing deaths of two English fans in Istanbul last week. The governing body of European soccer is expected to issue its ruling on Wednesday, and Galatasaray general secretary Sinan Kalpakcioglu said the club would comply. Kalpakcioglu was critical of Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale, who called for a ban on Turkish fans at the April 20 game and accused Galatasaray of using the deaths as a way of reaching the final without playing the second leg. "I think Mr. Ridsdale's declaration was unfair," Kalpakcioglu said Tuesday on English radio. "It is up to UEFA to decide on this. In a fair competition, we would be allowed to bring our supporters to England." Club president Faruk Suren denied Leeds' charges that the Turkish side had not apologized appropriately for the deaths and took issue with Ridsdale's accusations that Galatasaray was being "opportunistic." "While we think it is unfair that this matter carries on and that Turkish supporters should not be allowed to travel, we will come and play without our supporters if that is what UEFA decide," Suren said in a radio interview. "It is within their [UEFA] rules to forbid them to come if they so wish. All I would ask is that UEFA and Leeds will be able to guarantee the security of the team before, during and after the match." Suren said Galatasaray players eschewed wearing black armbands in last Thursday's match -- won 2-0 by Galatasaray -- under a UEFA ruling. "It is not true that we are seeking to make the final without kicking another ball," Suren said. "To play on that and try and put the blame on Galatasaray is not fair but I am sure he [Ridsdale] made these comments under great pressure." Five Turkish men were jailed Monday in connection with the stabbing deaths. Four were charged with the murder and the fifth was held on lesser charges in connection with the crime. "Let Turkish justice take care of the matter and I hope they will hand out the justified sentences to those who are guilty," Suren said. Kalpikciolu noted the violence took place away from the soccer pitch and said it was unfair to blame Galatasaray. "This unfortunate incident happened somewhere away from the stadium, and it was an unfortunate crime," he said. "It has nothing to do with football or Galatasaray -- that is my belief. I believe Turkish police have taken necessary security measures all the time. "These things may happen from time to time, but we should not be held responsible for that. It is a police issue. I believe the police did their best." UEFA has asked Leeds whether it can guarantee security "if Turkish supporters are admitted to the stadium." It has also asked the club about "security implications" if Turkish supporters arrive in Leeds but are denied entry. Ridsdale, in critical remarks Monday, said Galatasaray had "been opportunistic. They have been trying to find any means possible to get through to the final without kicking a football." "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. "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."
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