So, here’s what happened — Leeds United have shown their full support for their captain, Ethan Ampadu, after a photo of his young son wearing a Galatasaray jersey started making the rounds online. The image was reportedly shared by Ampadu’s former partner and, honestly, it upset a lot of Leeds fans — and it’s not hard to understand why. For this club and its supporters, Galatasaray brings back some really painful memories, and that’s where all this reaction is coming from.
Why This Stirred So Many Emotions
To get why people were so upset, you’ve got to go back to April 2000. That’s when two Leeds United fans — Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight — were tragically killed in Istanbul, just before the team’s UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray. It was a heartbreaking moment in the club’s history and something that still hurts to this day. So when fans saw a picture of Ampadu’s son in that shirt, it brought those emotions back to the surface. It wasn’t about the child, of course — it’s just that those memories still run deep.
What Leeds United Had to Say
The club didn’t waste time responding. They put out a statement basically saying, look — Ethan had nothing to do with this. He and his partner separated a while ago, and he wasn’t involved in what his son wore or in sharing the photo. Leeds also reminded everyone that Ampadu understands and respects the pain this part of the club’s history still causes. They asked for privacy and made it clear they won’t be commenting further. Honestly, they handled it the right way — calm, clear, and respectful.
Ampadu’s Loyalty and Respect Have Been Clear
If you’ve been following Leeds this season, you’d know Ampadu’s been more than just a player — he’s been a proper leader. After coming over from Chelsea in 2023, he’s worked hard, stepped up as captain, and really shown that he cares about this club. Earlier this year, he even joined fans in laying flowers to mark the 25th anniversary of that tragedy in Istanbul. So yeah, when the club says he understands the weight of that moment in history, it’s not just words — he’s shown it through his actions.
