A funeral will be held today for one of two of Leeds' soccer fans stabbed to death before their team even took the pitch in Turkey two weeks ago. Kevin Speight, 40, and Christopher Loftus, 35, were killed in violent street battles between English and Turkish fans on the eve of Leeds United's UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in Istanbul.
European football's governing body, UEFA, has banned Galatasaray fans from the second leg semi-final match to be played at the Elland Road ground on Thursday. The ban follows pleas from Leeds United, the Football Association and Speight's widow, Susan, to ban Turkish fans from the match because of fears of retaliatory violence.
Four men have been charged with the murders and 14 others have been charged with assault. The first case is expected to be heard within six weeks. A Turkish prosecutor said the charge sheet contained references to extenuating circumstances.
"The English supporters broke the windows of cars and businesses in the area. One Englishman even rubbed a Turkish flag on his genitals," he quoted the indictment as saying. Bodyguards will accompany the Galastaray players to Leeds on Thursday.
