Exclusive: Leeds fans fuming as star Harry Kewells signs to Galatasaray

By Michael Morgan 6/07/2008

Harry Kewell has sparked outrage at his old club Leeds by joining Galatasaray on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Kewell, a serial underachiever at Anfield following his £5million switch from Elland Road five years ago, controversially signed a two-year £40,000-a-week deal with the Turkish champions.

The Aussie international winger, 29, opted for a move to Istanbul even though Roma, Portsmouth, Celtic and Spartak Moscow also wanted him.

And his decision has left horrified Leeds fans furious with their one-time hero.

Eight years ago, Kewell was a member of the Leeds side beaten 2-0 by Galatasaray in a UEFA Cup semi-final first leg in Istanbul which went ahead just 24 hours after two Leeds fans, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, had been murdered by hooligan Galatasaray followers.

Ray Fell, chairman of Leeds United Supporters Club, said: "Many of our fans will be appalled by Kewell's decision.

They will see this as callous, uncaring and a real kick in the teeth to them, the two lads who so tragically lost their lives and the football club.

"I am shocked and extremely disappointed that a member of that Leeds squad, who along with his team-mates, the families of Kevin and Christopher and everyone else connected with the club went through the trauma and sadness of that occasion, has signed for Galatasaray.

"For us now to have to see one of our ex-players from that sad time taking the applause of Galatasaray fans will be sickening." Asked whether he thought the club would make any official statement on the matter, Fell replied: "I have no idea - they might decide to let sleeping dogs lie.

"But that will certainly not be the attitude of our fans. Let us just say that, from their point of view, Harry Kewell will not be welcome back in Leeds." Peter Ridsdale, Leeds chairman at the time of the murders and is now chairman of Cardiff City, said: "As someone who lived through the horrific events that surrounded Leeds' trip to Istanbul I am extremely surprised that Harry has chosen to pursue his career there.

"While it's no slight on Galatasaray as a football club, clearly the fans who were involved at that time will be the same fans Harry will be saluting when he scores a goal.

"Everyone who has been connected with Leeds will be disappointed by his decision, particularly the families of Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus." Kewell himself brushed aside the Istanbul killings when he was officially unveiled by his new club yesterday. He said: "It is a sad part of football history, but what happened in the past is in the past... we have to look forward."

ON April 5 2000, two Leeds United fans, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, were stabbed to death in Istanbul before Leeds' UEFA Cup semifinal first leg against Galatasaray.

Many people thought UEFA would postpone the match but Leeds, with Kewell (left) in their team, were told they had to play.

There was no minute's silence and only Leeds players wore black armbands. They were pelted with missiles throughout the game and riot police surrounded the tunnel as they lost 2-0.

A plaque in memory of the murdered fans has been unveiled at Elland Road.