No entrance for Turkish fans, rules UEFA

No entrance for Turkish fans, rules UEFA
Agence france presse

Nyon (Switzerland), April 25: European football's governing body decided to ban Turkish fans from the UEFA Cup semi-final second-leg match between Leeds and Galatasaray at Elland Road next week.

UEFA's competitions committee announced from the organisation's Nyon headquarters that only VIPs and authorised officials of the Galatasaray club, as well as accredited Turkish press, would be allowed to attend the potentially explosive match along with English spectators.

UEFA said Galatasaray would be allowed 80 places instead of the 1750 they were originally allocated.

UEFA gave Leeds the go ahead to stage the game at home ground next Thursday after the Turkish Football Federation had demanded the match be played at a neutral venue for fear of reprisal attacks against Galatasaray fans following the deaths of two Leeds supporters in Istanbul last week.

Leeds wanted visiting fans to be banned from the second leg and UEFA accepted their argument.

Galatasaray won the first-leg match 2-0.

The decision came after Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdaleaccused Galatasaray of being "opportunistic" and "lacking respect" in the wake of the deaths of United fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

The Turkish federation wanted the game to be played either at a neutral venue or with all fans locked out -- and were incensed at statements from both Leeds and West Yorkshire Police admitting they could not give guarantees of the safety of Galatasaray supporters.