This is possibly the wrong place to discuss this, so don't be surprised if I delete it, as it is something that is bound to be sensitive and could provoke some, when the intention is the opposite. I am aware, and understand why Leeds fans get provoked at Turkish flags being waved by opposition supporters. Some of our fans have taken to waving Turkish flags as a mark of respect for our owner. These tend to be younger ones that possibly won't understand how that could be perceived by Leeds fans. Do you think there is liable to be an issue for the games between us, or is it possible that the Leeds fans would understand that the gesture is certainly not aimed in their direction, nor as a sign of disrespect to the memory of the two fans?
The problem is, I would have seen it as provoking fans, now you've explained it I'd see it differently. I obviously follow everything about Leeds, I switch off to most things around other clubs so I didn't even know you had new Turkish owners, I have literally just googled it. Do I think the average fan at a game would understand, if I am being honest not a chance.
That was my thoughts too, for pretty much the same reasons, as neither set of fans is liable to understand the meaning, or feelings of the others. My concern is that if the clubs try to highlight the reasons, there's bound to be someone insisting that they can do what they want to show support for their club, and use it as an excuse to inflame others. I wouldn't wave the flag in the first place, but I'd certainly be suggesting that anyone that generally did used a bit of common sense for those games. EDIT: I think our chairman is quite shrewd, and has his finger on the pulse of crowds and emotion, so I would expect him to use it as an opportunity to offer respect to the two Leeds fans by asking that fans don't bring Turkish flags as a similar show of respect. Basically, I expect he'll find a way to spin it to a positive for both clubs. That would be far easier than trying to justify it with a message that won't reach everyone, nor be accepted by all of those it does reach.
A compromise would be for City fans not to take Turkish flags to Elland Road. But for the reverse fixture at the MKM, they'll just have to deal with it I'm afraid.
I understand what you're saying, but I'm not convinced that would work, and no matter what else people think, it is something that the Leeds fans feel very passionate about and have done for many years, so it won't change for that one game and a significant proportion would react. The bad feelings and bad press from that would have repercussions for a considerable time, and an alternative request for respect from the club could generate the opposite. I think Acun will be understanding, as being a Fenerbache fan, he is liable to have little affinity to Galatasaray. As an alternative way of looking at it, would you join a show of respect for two football fans that were killed at a game?
Turkish flags have been flown by fans at City for a season and a half now because of our Turkish owners and players. I think any attempt to tell City fans not to wave them at home games against Leeds would have the opposite affect with a few idiots intentionally trying to provoke Leeds fans after being told not to. If there was any backlash in the media, it would be daft considering it's public knowledge we have Turkish owners and journos would (hopefully) know this before producing clickbait outrage articles.
You are being a bit over sensative pal. Perhaps you should have a word with the 200 or so leeds U fans three up us bumped into in a pub in Telford a couple of seasons back. We were on our way to WBA and I think you were on your way to a 5.30 ko somewhere. They took, after half an hour of plucking up the courage, to come across to our table and tell us how 5hit they thought our club was and how Hull wasn't even in Yorkshire, etc etc etc, all the usual ignorant stuff about Hull. I simply asked them where they had been for the last 20 years when Hull City were above them in the league? I see no rivary with Leeds at all, after all our paths have hardly met, I have an issue with some knobheads locally who 'support' leeds from the pub whilst riddiculing Hull City, these type usually follow a local RL club too, but besides that, I couldn't give a toss about your club. I think the link you are trying to make with the unfortunate events in Galataskary? years ago, and our Turkish owners is a bit thin on the ground matey, to have any real substance or meaning behind it.
As I said, I do understand what you are saying, but if the club requested it, would you join in with a show of respect for two football supporters that were killed at a game?
Do you mean, would I be silent during a minute's silence? Of course. But there's a difference between showing disrespect and not accommodating the feelings of opponent fans who may be offended/provoked by something innocuous that isn't directed at them at all.
To be fair, it was me, not him that raised the subject. My thoughts are that it is an opportunity to change what is liable to be bad publicity and ill feeling into a positive, for asking for what is a few people to not bring a flag to a game as a mark of respect. I'm sure you would be at the front of a queue of people supporting a gesture of good will and consideration to show respect to the memory of two family men that died at a football game.
Yep, but I'm adjusting the sights on my Lee Enfield. That said it's not over yet. The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.
I can see your point, but I wouldn't whole heatedly agree, but I do think having the topic openly discussed could help raise awareness and understanding, which could dilute some of the potentially negative consequences. I doubt some of our fans would be aware of the implications the Turkish flag has to Leeds fans, anymore than the Leeds fans would understand why City fans were waving it.
That's why I think a compromise should be for City fans to not take them to Elland Road. But at the MKM, I think they just have to accept the fact that we are a Turkish-owned club with some Turkish players and some supporters have proudly embraced that. There's a Turkish flag that flies outside the stadium.
It's not aimed at him personally, it's more to do with the ****ty arrogant way every Leeds fan I have ever met see's our club. I couldn't give a toss about them, seriously. I've been to Elland Road twice for non City games. Once about 1972 when they were at home to Liverpool, City had played on the Friday night I think, I actually left at half time, no interest at all, and there must have been a couple of thousand fans outside who had been locked out and 40,000 inside the ground. Another time I went with some Italian friends and it was the first sunday game played, from memory. The Italians supported Chelsea who Leeds were playing because of the Italian connection at Chelsea in those times. We sat amongst the home fans, no colours on, no chanting or bringing attention to ourselves, but someone spotted us and pointed us out. It was bedlam, they wanted to string us up. Point of the above being Leeds Utd mean nothing to me. I don't see that a couple of Turkish flags waved at a game between the two clubs is a massive isssue. But highlighting it beforehand and the possible offence if might cause would become an issue. The type who wave Turkish flags at City will not even know about the two leeds fans stabbed to death before their game in Turkey. As for a minutes silence in respect? Call me old fashioned but I think the minutes silence should be for one game a season, the 11th of the 11th. The way it's going we will be having a minutes silence or applause when the club cat goes missing.
I get that. I suspect fans on both sides were not altogether aware of the potential issues, so wanted to raise it as a topic so that people could at least make informed choices.
To be brutally honest,I have no idea why an Englishman(English person) would want to wave the flag of another Country,irrespective of whether or not the owner of their Club is from another Country? I wonder what the attitude would be if Hamish McTavish had bought the Club and flew a lion rampant at the front door
They haven't even been relegated yet. Our club is Turkish owned, at the moment. I don't see what that has do with Leeds Utd. Of course some will be hell bent on making an issue about it. i won't be one of them.
