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Turkish players want to get back to their job - soccer |
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April
19, 2000 ISTANBUL, APR 18 (AP) - It's been just about everything but soccer for Galatasaray's players since the fatal stabbing of two British fans before the first leg of their UEFA cup semifinal against Leeds United. And it's only soccer they want. "We are soccer players and we want to play," said the team's Romanian defender Gheorghe Popescu. Popescu and his teammates have expressed deep regret for the killings of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, both stabbed to death in Istanbul two weeks ago by Turkish youths. In a mark of respect, Galatasaray is planning to wear a black uniform during their training before the match, as well as a black arm band during the game. The killings came on the eve of Galatasaray's 2-0 victory against Leeds on April 3. Ever since, the players have been at the center of a storm of controversy, with constant press scrutiny and intense lobbying with UEFA by their club and Leeds. Some tough-worded statements were exchanged between the officials of the two clubs, with each accusing the other of taking advantage of the killings to reach the final. "The English want to put pressure on us," Popescu said. "But we have too much experience to be affected." Galatasaray has also had to worry about the security of the team following several anti-Turkish attacks reported in England over the past two weeks. The team will be traveling with an 11-member antiterrorist squad, and is arriving just a day before Thursday's match. Daily Milliyet reported Tuesday that the police team was planning to bring bulletproof vests for the players in case trouble broke out. Galatasaray spokesman said he was unaware of such plans. But the players said they trusted that their security would be guaranteed. "We are not scared of anything," said Arif Erdem, who plays in attack. European soccer's governing body ruled in favor of Leeds' request to bar Galatasaray's supporters from Elland Road stadium, and rejected the Turkish request to play the game on neutral ground. Galatasaray's veteran Brazilian goalkeeper, Claudio Taffarel, said the ban on their fans could be a disadvantage. In Germany, thousands of Turks filled the stadium to cheer their team into a 2-0 victory against 1997 European Champion Borussia Dortmund earlier this year. "When we saw our fans in the field in Dortmund, we felt we'd already scored a goal," Taffarel said. Reaching the final for Galatasaray would be an historic moment for Turkish football - the first time a Turkish team reaches a European cup final. "All of Turkey, all the Turks across the world will be watching this match," said coach Fatih Terim. "The state of mind of the players is essential in this match," Terim said, adding that the players would be shielded as much as possible from outside interference. Despite the pressures, the players said they were concentrating on the match. "We
have blocked out all this noise," said Erdem. "Our only aim is
the final."
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