As news filtered through in the mid-week of stabbings of Chelsea fans in Istanbul, it seemed history was repeating itself. Unfortunately, Leeds fans know only too well the reputation of the Galatasaray ultras, having experienced them first hand in Istanbul. April 5th 2000 has to go down as the darkest day in the history of Leeds United Football Club.
English football had a major problem with football hooliganism in the 1980’s, but the Galatasaray ultras make that all look like a friendly play fight. Everyone connected with Leeds will know what happened all those years ago, but the concerning thing is that it wasn’t the first or last time these fans have caused serious trouble, and the questions that are left unanswered are; why haven’t UEFA acted? Why are they still allowed to play in Europe? Between 1985 and 1990 all English clubs were banned from entering European competitions, as a consequence of the Heysel disaster. This leads many of us to wonder why Galatasaray haven’t met the same fate.
Galatasaray are the most successful team in the Turkey’s history and have 41% of all support there, a quite staggering number when put into perspective- Manchester United, allegedly the country’s most widely supported team, have only 9% (est.) of the support in the UK.
Where to start with Galatasaray’s long history of trouble; 1993 would seem the most appropriate, Manchester United’s first Champions League experience away from home. It was well documented that fans greeted the team and supporters with the famous ‘Welcome to Hell’ banner, along with plenty of abuse, bear in mind only the police could have allowed them into the airport. Stories have been told of former Leeds player, Eric Cantona, been assaulted by police inside the ground, along with broken team bus windows, hotel bell boys giving a cut throat gesture to Gary Pallister and items going missing from players’ hotel rooms. The season after this, Galatasaray played a qualifier in Luxembourg and, as a result of their violence there, had been threatened with a ban from UEFA. So, clearly, they had their cards marked.
Leeds United drew Galatasaray in the semi-finals of the UEFA cup in 2000, things were going well for David O’Leary’s young team. They were attracting a lot of admirers, but nobody could prepare them for what was to come. The club and the authorities knew it was to be a dangerous trip, especially given the hospitality extended to Manchester United some years before. As a result, Leeds did not take a huge number of fans. The vast majority that did go were on tours organised by the club
I don’t want to dwell too much on what happened to Chris and Kevin that night, as it would bring back some awful memories for some people I’m sure. In a nut shell, two innocent Leeds fans were stabbed to death by some rival supporters. It was the immediate aftermath of this tragedy that really astounded me. Leeds fans were made to stay in their hotels at all times and told not to go the game, even though they had bought tickets. For those that did still want to go, there would be small buses with a huge number of police in convoy. UEFA met with the local police late on the night of those tragic events and decided the game would go ahead. In the circumstances, and seemingly with lives in danger, this decision is extremely hard to comprehend. Travelling to the game fans coaches were greeted with hand gestures, throat slit gestures and expletive filled banners. After the game, Leeds fans would be taken immediately to the airport, even though most had another night paid for at their respective hotels.
The club did not exactly cover themselves in glory; players refused to wear black armbands, all the fans jeered the message of condolence inside the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. Ahead of the return leg at Elland Road, Leeds asked that no Galatasaray supporters be allowed to attend, while on the other hand they wanted it switching to a neutral venue. When UEFA sided with Leeds, the Turkish state minister accused Leeds of “using the murders to their advantage”.
The main culprit that night was sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was then reduced to 5 years on appeal- hard justice I’m sure you will all agree. The families of the accused approved the actions of the defendants for “punishing the rude British people”.
Moving on from that awful, tragic evening after doing some research, I have also found these events:
· May 2000: Arsenal fan stabbed in Copenhagen before UEFA cup final, weeks after tragedy involving Leeds supporters in the same competition.
· October 2000: Club fined a measly £20,000 after they allowed fans to overfill stadium for the Champions League game with Rangers by standing in stairways and emergency exits. They provided fans with toilet rolls to throw onto pitch, which caused kick-off to be delayed
· March 2001: Fights amongst PSG fans and the Galatasaray ultras, although it is believed that the French team’s supporters were to blame in this instance. Galatasaray fined: $28,500 (down from $114,000).
· April 2013: Battles with police in Madrid after defeat in Champions League to Real Madrid.
· May 2013: Fenerbahce fan stabbed to death by a Galatasaray fan, after an Istanbul derby between the two teams.
· September 2013: Fans storm the pitch during a game against Besiktas after Felipe Melo was red carded, this caused the game to be abandoned.
· February 2014: Riots with Besiktas fans ahead of Champions League tie with Chelsea, although this is also linked to political unrest.
These events didn’t take very long to find at all, and with some serious digging surely there will be more. The evidence is overwhelming, fines have been handed out before and don’t seem to work. English clubs were banned in the 80’s, they were threatened with a ban again ahead of Euro 2000. The question that needs answering by UEFA is when will this stop? They have to act, and the only way they can help stop the situation is surely with a ban. They cannot have one rule for Galatasaray fans, in contrast to rules for other teams. The more it goes on, the more the fact UEFA haven’t acted boggles the mind. How much more blood will UEFA have on their hands before they say enough is enough and do something about these fans, who are quite clearly out of control?
The club’s hierarchy is quite clearly unfazed by all the trouble, so fines obviously aren’t enough. Having looked at the whole situation in grave detail over the past week, it has also left me wondering how Harry Kewell, a player who was there on the fateful night, and whose departure from Leeds was acrimonious enough, would totally alienate himself from the fans that once worshipped him by joining Galatasaray. Over to you UEFA, but if yet again no action is taken, English fans have a right to feel aggrieved given the stick and punishments they have received in the past.
Marching on Together with Chris and Kev, in our hearts and minds- Leeds United forever.
The Mighty Leeds 