I haven't seen anyone mention this on here from our chairman: Ken Bates calls for Turkey ban over Leeds fans' deaths
Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has said Turkey's failure to jail the killers of two of the club's fans suggests it is not ready for EU entry. The businessman made the comments as he backed an appeal for justice for Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight, who were stabbed in Istanbul on 5 April 2000. The pair died on the eve of United's Uefa Cup semi-final against local side Galatasaray. Mr Bates said: "Why after 10 years is there no justice?" His comments followed a match day tribute to Mr Loftus and Mr Speight at Elland Road on Saturday. The event coincided with the families of the murdered fans unveiling a new appeal to get justice for the men. 'Tough state' Speaking on the club's website, Mr Bates said: "We were holding a minute's silence before the Swindon match and it was silence not applause because we were mourning their lives after they were murdered in Turkey. "I would use the word murder because that's what it was. "I've read a lot about it, and about what happened in the bar area where the Turkish thugs were following the Leeds fans. Where were the police? What were they doing? It's supposed to be a pretty tough state - why was it allowed to get out of hand?" He said Turkey's failure to jail anyone for the deaths suggested the country was "not ready to be admitted to the EU". He added: "Maybe that's something the campaigners should focus on. It would concentrate the authorities' minds, because if the country cannot hand out European justice... " The families of the men are to meet Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton on Monday on the 10th anniversary of the deaths to press the government and police to do more to see justice is done. A minute's silence was held before Saturday's home match against Swindon Town. Fans laid bouquets and wreaths at the foot of the Billy Bremner statue outside the ground and tied hundreds of yellow and white daffodils and scarves to the Elland Road gates. Both teams wore black armbands and Leeds stars Richard Naylor and Jonny Howson laid wreaths beside the pitch. _______________________________________________ the Leeds List is an unmoderated mailing list and the list administrators accept no liability for the personal views and opinions of contributors. Leedslist mailing list [email protected] http://list.zetnet.co.uk/mailman/listinfo/leedslist and the hardest time in a sailor's day is to watch the sun as it sails away
