Kewell keen to quell anger

Leeds fans angered by Galatasaray switch

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 7th July 2008

Harry Kewell Press Conference Galatasaray

Kewell: Respects Leeds

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Harry Kewell has issued an open letter to Leeds United fans in a bid to quell the criticism he has faced following his move to Galatasaray.

The Australia international has angered many supporters of the Elland Road club with his decision to join the Turkish giants.

Two Leeds fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were stabbed to death prior to their Uefa Cup semi-final meeting with Galatasaray in Istanbul eight years ago.

Kewell was a Whites player at the time and featured in both legs of the match, receiving a red card for a late challenge in the return fixture in West Yorkshire.

The forward, who was released by Liverpool this summer, insists that he still has strong feelings for Leeds, and that he chose his new number at Galatasaray as a mark of respect for his former club.

Respect

The letter sent to Sky Sports reads: "My love and respect for Leeds United FC and what the club has done for me will never change, no matter what anyone says about me and whatever their motives are. My sense of sorrow and sympathy for the families and friends of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight will always be with me.

"I chose the No.19 shirt when I signed for Galatasaray as a sign of respect for Leeds because that was the number I got when I first became a regular member of the Leeds United FC starting XI. I felt that it might be a way to demonstrate that I had not forgotten where it all started and I was hoping that in a small way it would help the healing process of the tragedy that occurred on the 5th of April 2000.

"For me, sport should first and foremost be about the love of your game. But equally important is the respect for not only your team-mates but all those who you compete against. For this reason I have always objected to any form of discrimination in any sport and football in particular, as that is the sport that is the most near and dear to me.

"To blame the Galatasaray club for the tragedy in Istanbul is simply wrong and discriminatory. This is a club founded in 1905 that has a proud history of striving for sporting excellence and it should be given the same respect as any other football club.

"I respect everyone's right to have their own opinion on whatever they like, but that does not make their opinion right. No one has to agree with my views or my choices, but I think it's only fair and reasonable to allow me and my family to enjoy the same democratic rights as expected by those that have been attacking me over the last few days."

Comments

Dave Draig goch (Leeds United fan) says...

Firstly i always thought Harry Kewell was a good servant for us, however I think, along with other supporters that Harry has made the wrong decision. After his desision to join Liverpool for £5 million, when other clubs had offered more including Arsenal for £8-9 million. Harry and his agent pocketed over £2 million out of that deal due to some clause in his contract. You would have thought that he would, not even try and make amends but just not rub salt into our wounds. Cheers HK

Posted 22:40 9th July 2008

Leeds United (Leeds United fan) says...

Harry You signed for us as a schoolboy and made your first appearance back in the 90's when Leeds were on the up and were beginning to play decent football. You progressed, became a regular and were quite rightly regarded as one of the most exciting and talented players in europe. You were a hero to Leeds fans, a core member of the good Leeds United team of 98-02. You were made a multi-millionaire by Leeds United in return for your talent, fair enough, lots of others were too. You played in the team that went to Istanbul back in 2000 and played for Leeds United 24 hours after Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were murdered in the city. You were in the team that saw the vile gestures made by a large number of Galatasaray fans, gestures of throat cutting, murder and general rejoicing in the death of two Leeds fans. These are the same fans that you will now rejoice with when you play for the club, celebrating goals. These fans did not commit the crime, however they rejoiced and celebrated the death of 2 Leeds fans, fans of the club you were with for many years. People claim you could earn more elsewhere, I very much doubt this. I believe this not to be a football decision, but a financial one. With all the various clauses, this contract was the most valuable to you financially. Why not do the decent thing? Say thanks for the interest, I'm flattered, but the move is not right for me. Sign for Celtic/Roma/Portsmouth? It just wasn't morally right to sign for this club. You are a rich man, Harry, and are afforded the luxury of choice that many others aren't, however there are some things you just have to walk away from. Yes, there are lots of arguments for and against as put forward by many others in the last few days, but the reality of the situation boils down to one man's greed versus his conscience and decency. In this instance greed was the victor. You are a disgrace Harry Kewell, an absolute disgrace.

Posted 17:29 9th July 2008

Iwan vaughan Hughes (Leeds United fan) says...

As a 16 year old leeds fan i say now that i remember Harry Kewell's performances and yes they were great...Leeds united made him and eventhough he messed the club around a bit there is no point blaming him for everything! ok what he's just done is rather insensitive but then again would you think of your own status before others?probably! he definately did the move for the money because he will get more publicity by doing it and more advertising opertunities at turkey! in my opinion he should've gone to roma! same amount of wages, nicer country, and keep the thing which he says is most important to him that is the leeds fans respect which has now been lost! and any other fan from any other club can't say anything about typical leeds trying to blame everything and everyone but themselves! what about Heysel and Munich 1958.... are you blaming the club? or are you blaming everyone else? Yes You are! we can't put the blame on galatasaray themselves for the stabbings but we can be angried by their manner after the incident because as far as i remember it wasn't pleasent!!!

Posted 15:18 9th July 2008

Maerios Jankovic (Liverpool fan) says...

He obviously went for the money, and you can't blame him for that. One more or two more injuries, and his career is over. Probably a lot of clauses in the Roma deal. He will be lucky to play 10 games before he is out for the season with another injury, but the pay cheque will keep coming. Roma may be too smart for that.

Posted 13:56 9th July 2008

Connor Ashworth (Leeds United fan) says...

All you fans from Man u, Chelsea etc. are oblivious to the fact that Harry Kewell robbed the club millions in insurance for him and his agent. It's not that he is greedy, he just doesn't care about the club and plays football as a job and not for passion. Then, just like Alan Smith, knowing that he would be scrutinized by the public, took on the job at Galatasary, which i feel is out of order.

Posted 22:18 8th July 2008

David C (Leeds United fan) says...

I dont see what the problem is about Kewell going to play with Galatasary. So what...who cares! I'm a Leeds fan and it does not bother me. We will never forget the two Leeds fans who were murdered in Turkey. But that was not Harry's fault or even Galatasary's fault. It was the fault of mindless idiots who claim to be football fans. Mindless idiots that every club in the world unfortunately has.

Posted 20:14 8th July 2008

Rich Gray (Leeds United fan) says...

We`re not all bitter and twisted Leeds fans, HK did what he thought was best as a footballer. I was quite shocked when i first heard of the move but its just another football team. He hasnt done it to insult us, hes done it to do what he does best......Play Football. Weve had loads of players go to clubs i dont like, mainly Man U with Cantona and Smithy etc, but life and football go on. This is all in the past, im sick of ppl looking back, the last 7-8 years have been shear crap for us, goin from money troubles to relegation to points deductions to administration and to another relegation. All im bothered about is Leeds United and the start of our new campaign, with Macca and a good squad to get us moving back where we belong. My views will defo not satisfy a lot of ppl but im an untwisted happy Leeds fan who is happy to still have a Leeds United to support.

Posted 17:44 8th July 2008

Paul Hilton (Leeds United fan) says...

Harry Kewells loyalty stops at Harry Kewell. He does not care about Leeds Utd Fans. He is an insult to the club and the families of the victims. Its funny how everyone else is making out that leeds are the only club to turn on ex players. Im sure every fan commenting on here would feel the same if one of your big players treated you like Harry treat the fans and the club. He had offers from lots of other clubs which he could have taken.....why didnt he take them, cause he isnt good enough. His words mean nothing its just media spin. Do something for the good of others for once harry and use your influence on things like knife crime. Maybe then we would see you in a different light.

Posted 15:58 8th July 2008

Mark Bakes (Leeds United fan) says...

You are right Harry you can work where you like as a proffesional person you have a choice to make, at best I would call you insensitive I genuinely thought it would be very difficult for you Harry to cause more controversy than your fisrt move but hey Harry well done you sure managed that one. You could have been remembered as one of the best players in the world but at the moment all you will be remembered for is the money. Nice epitaph Nice man.

Posted 15:18 8th July 2008

Marc Fairclough (Leeds United fan) says...

Kewell is trying to portray like he has done nothing wrong, as per. When infact all the fans that moan about Leeds United don't know the half, Kewell was a brilliant servant for us? was he... After turning good in the youth team and having two decent years he decided to flaunt about doing nothing for years, either on the wing or up-front he'd put in half-hearted performances and show no respect to the club who kick started his career, moving to Gala after robbing us blind of cash when going to Liverpool is just another kick in the teeth for Leeds fans, for a bloke with no passion, who hobbles off in the Champions League final after a slight knock he cannot say wages had nothing to play a part, in my opinion instead of staying in the premiership and trying to prove his failed career that he still has an inch of talent, kewell has kopped out to an easier league with a club who showed an absolute disgusting manner in their comments and behaviour after our two fans were stabbed. Kewell was started and made at Leeds United, and even players like Alan smith...who made the worst move known to man, gave up his signing on fee to Leeds united to help the club that helped him, as did many other players. Kewell has proved he has no respect for the club, and taken the easy way out of trying to revive his career and will now count down the days to retirement in a league he believes he can be a big fish in. Shows the passion shown by many of todays footballers. R.I.P Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight .... Always remembered, Marching on together.

Posted 13:06 8th July 2008

Alper Guclucan (Manchester United fan) says...

Kewell didn't transfer to galatasaray for money as many of you guys have stated... he was offered the same amount by Roma... yet he choose Galatasaray and Turkey, the reason: In Turkey players like Kewell become stars and are loved by all the fans... He will be in the spotlight the star of the team, where I think he deserves to be... If he went to Roma, this wouldn;t be the case... So I wish him good luck in his new club.. I think he deserves a new start.... I wish him an injury free season...

Posted 12:10 8th July 2008

Andrew Waite (Leeds United fan) says...

I think that kewell shouldn't say sorry for moving to Galatasaray he is a footballer and he wants to play football and i think he should be allowed to go where ever he wants. Kewell was a great player for and he spoke of his love and respect for Leeds united so my fellow leeds fans should drop it and let him get one with playing football for Galatasaray

Posted 11:32 8th July 2008

Scott Deighton (Leeds United fan) says...

As a Leeds fan its hard to read all the comments from Man U fans about the matter not having anything to do with Galatasary supporters. You must have thought it had something to do with the phsycotic fans because if i remember correctly you brought a sign to Elland Road reading "ISTANBUL REDS" mmm i wonder what was ment by that. If Kewell was a nice and caring as everyone on this forum makes out, he No1 would have left ensuring that the club could possibly get a bit of money for him rather then mess us about and let his agent cop off with most of it, No2 just tell the fans where your going to be playing next season, but instead he kept us guessing when Kewell turned up for Leeds Utd with his hair dyed red, Liverpool fans will know what i mean because it wasnt hard for Fernando Torres to let the fans know where he was going to be playing next season with "you'll never walk alone" inside the captains arm band. If kewell wanted to play abroad what is wrong with Roma!! Good riddence Kewell, C'mon Super Leeds!!!!! Cheers

Posted 10:10 8th July 2008

Noelly Foley (Celtic fan) says...

I think this is typical of the modern Leeds Utd fans to make such comments about Harry Kewell. I doubt for one second that it even entered Kewell's head about the stabbings when he decided to go to Turkey. He's had a tough time of it at Liverpool, with injuries etc, in actual fact, his best form was at Leeds Utd, so I can't see why they should hold a grudge. He gave you everything whilst he was there. But as I said this is typical of the modern day Leeds fans, thinking that the whole wolrd is against you. And the comments made about Kewell, acusing him of betryain the 2 fans that were killed will have disgusted former greats of your club eg Giles, Gray, Hunter etc..

Posted 09:26 8th July 2008

Andrew Yoannidis (Liverpool fan) says...

As an Aussie listening to Leeds fans sinking the boots into harry, all i can say is Build a bridge!!!!! What happened in Istanbul has no reflection on Harry as a person or a Footballer. There are Football Hooligans all over the world that cause trouble, and yes there have been deaths which is a very sad side to our game. We need to gather together and banish these people and not give them the satisfaction of mentioning what they did. People who take other people lives as scum of the earth. Good luck with your move Harry, i hope your best football is ahead of you..

Posted 08:47 8th July 2008

C Balci (Middlesbrough fan) says...

To all the sour Leeds/English fans out there, Its time to move on. The very fact that you blame Galatasaray Football club for the tragedy is absolute nonsense. HK is just like any other player in the footballing world - he's trying to make a living in his trade. And for those of you who claim that GS showed no respect to the two murdered in Istanbul, it was a UEFA instruction not to insight further memories of the tragedy and imposed that GS do not wear arm bands or hold a one minute silence prior to the game. Every credible human being knows that violence is not a way to solve anything, but need i remind you all of your own kind! It's easy to overlook the sanctions imposed by UEFA on the English mob over the past two decades but i guess its different when it comes down to your own people. Football is only a game, those who wish to take from it the beauty do. But unfortuneately EVERY country and club has supporteres who are always taking their actions to far. Good on you Harry for not living in the past and good luck with GS they are a formidable team.

Posted 03:47 8th July 2008

Ross Wood (Newcastle United fan) says...

Some of these comments are ridiculous, Leeds fans need to get there facts straight. Those fans were killed by a maniac not related to Galatasary and UEFA told them not to wear armbands/minutes silence becasue of fear of provication. Kewell took the offer (ahead of others) not on money as he was offered more else where, but becasue of (according to his agent) excessive health clauses included in other contracts. Also in the CL final he tore his groin off the bone!!! Its not like he limped out casue he didn't feel like playing. Lets face it, in the current state of Leeds it will be 10 years until you have a player of his quality again

Posted 02:00 8th July 2008

Juan Ramirez (Arsenal fan) says...

Just a few days ago 2 french were killed by 1 or more British people in England. they were college students. So should france hate england? should all french players leave England? How racist and low it is to accuse a nation and a sports club for 2 deaths. Blame the individuals of course but never the nation, club, nor Kewell because you are speaking as if Kewell was a part of a Turkish gang in 2000 and organized the murders. Leeds Utd fans, please do not be ignorant. You are insulting the memories of the 2 dead leeds supporters by mentioning this incident 8 years later.

Posted 15:44 7th July 2008

Josh Foulkes (Liverpool fan) says...

Harry Kewell is a working man, football is his job, and what do you do in your job??? u try to earn the most money possible. He obviously feelts that galatasaray is the place to do this, he has a family to think of and he is the one they are looking to to put food on the table. Has he done this out of spite??? of course he hasnt no man would and especially not and honest man like Harry. He didn't have to write a single word but he wrote an open letter and leeds fans think hes in the wrong! well hes not hes a great football and spent his best years at leeds and brought u great footballing achievments, forgetting that some of you ain't ya! Good Man Harry and good look at Gala

Posted 15:41 7th July 2008

Simon Purdon (Leeds United fan) says...

Kewell was a great servant for our club, and we should not forget that. He brought us all a lot of great memories (Roma, Sheff Wed, Man U to name a few!) Give the lad a break, he has come out telling us how much he loves Leeds still and how much he respects us, which he didnt have to do, and if a rival company offered you a lot of money to move companies from where you work now, im sure you would accept and not think anything of it......

Posted 15:32 7th July 2008

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