The mother of Ethan Ampadu’s son has accused Leeds United of ‘a statement of lies’ after the club defended their captain following a post online that dredged up memories of two fans stabbed to death in Istanbul 25 years ago.
Ampadu, 24, has seen his ex-partner, Saara Sa, post photos of their son in the kit of Galatasaray – from Istanbul – leading to fans calling for him to be stripped of the club’s captaincy weeks after he won promotion to the Premier League.
Two Leeds fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were murdered ahead of the club’s UEFA Cup semi-final clash against Galatasaray in Istanbul in 2000 and supporters still hold ill feeling towards to the Turkish team. After a long legal process in Turkey, four men were jailed in 2010.
Leeds today rushed to defend Ampadu, claiming he ‘has no responsibility for the image in question’ and that he and Sa – who is Turkish – ‘separated several months ago’.
But Sa says their defence is ‘a statement stating lies’ and that Ampadu ‘was aware of the photo’. Ampadu and Sa were pictured together as recently as Leeds’ Premier League promotion parade just two weeks ago.
Leeds have defended Ethan Ampadu after a picture of his son in a Galatasaray top was posted by his ex-girlfriend
Ampadu’s ex-girlfriend Saara Sa posted an image of their child in the Turkish club’s kit on X
Ampadu joined Leeds in 2023 and was named their captain ahead of the 2023/24 season – he posed for photos with his ex-girlfriend as recently as two weeks ago
In a statement the club said: ‘Leeds United are aware of an image circulating online of Ethan Ampadu’s son.
‘Ethan separated from his partner several months ago and has no responsibility for the image in question. Ethan is aware of and sensitive to the tragic loss within the Loftus and Speight families.
‘The club asks for Ethan’s privacy to be respected in what is a difficult time for him personally. Our captain has been a leader on and off the pitch this season, demonstrating his commitment to the club, its history, and the broader Leeds community. Ethan has the full support of everybody at Leeds United.
‘The club will be making no further comment.’
Sa responded on Friday afternoon, writing: ‘My condolences are with the families of the two people who passed away in Istanbul. I am Turkish and our son is part Turkish. Galatasaray is my family’s supporting home team and has been for years.
‘We are the parents of our child and Ethan was aware of the photo. I would appreciate if Leeds United football club would not portray a false narrative by making a statement stating lies.’
Ampadu was handed the Leeds captaincy ahead of this season and has attended a number of events to commemorate the death of Loftus and Speight.
He was one of the players who laid shirts and flowers in front of Leeds fans, in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the tragedy, when they faced Luton at Kenilworth Road in April.
Leeds still hold ill-feeling towards Galatasaray after the murder of their fans in 2000
Leeds fans had criticised the 24-year-old with some calling for him to lose the captaincyÂ
Ampadu spent eight years in the Exeter City academy before moving to Chelsea in 2017Â
Leeds fans criticised the defender with some calling for him to lose the captaincy after the images circulated on social media.Â
‘He shouldn’t be our club captain anymore,’ one fan wrote on X: ‘Club captain should be more on the nose with anything like that.’ Leeds, today, said they were aware of the image but that the 24-year-old had their ‘full support’.
Ampadu joined Leeds in 2023 after the Yorkshire club had been relegated from the Premier League.Â
He had spent eight years in the Exeter City academy before moving to Chelsea in 2017 aged 16.Â
That year he made his international debut for Wales and has since gone on to make 54 appearances for Craig Bellamy’s side.Â
But he only made 12 appereances for the Blues and was shipped on loan to Sheffield United, RB Leipzig, Venezia and Spezia during his spell at Stamford Bridge.Â
The loss of Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus 25 years ago is still felt incredibly deeply and animosity between the two clubs remains.
Leeds and Galatasaray fans clashed in violent scenes on April 5, 2000 at Istanbul’s Taksim Square.
Following the two tragic deaths, local police arrested and charged four Galatasaray supporters with murder.
Galatasaray fans were banned from attending the second-leg at Elland Road, in a semi-final won by the Turkish side, who went on to win the competition.
Fans hit out at Ampadu with one Leeds United supporter calling for him to lose his captaincyÂ
Leeds and Galatasaray fans clashed in April 2000, resulting in the murder of two Leeds fans
Former club legend Harry Kewell previously soured his relationship with Leeds fans after moving to Galatasaray from Liverpool in 2008.
At the time he said: ‘It was a tragic thing in football but we can’t live in the past. I am happy and I hope everyone else can be too.
‘There were a lot of other clubs out there but this is perfect for me. Galatasaray wanted me from the start. The facilities are great. It’s a fantastic city and I’m willing to learn.’
Leeds will return to the Premier League next season after clinching the Championship title with 100 points.Â
