Hull City and Leeds United have released a statement ahead of the clubs’ meeting on Wednesday night.
Leeds United chief executive Angus Kinnear has thanked his Hull City counterparts for their role in supporting the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight ahead of the two clubs’ meeting on Wednesday night.
The lifelong White supporters were tragically killed following their club’s visit in the UEFA Cup semi-final against Turkish club Galatasaray in April 2000.
This led to the tribute to the duo every year when the Elland Road faithful pay their respects by turning their backs on the pitch, just as they did in Istanbul after Leeds were forced to play out a draw despite horrific developments happened before.
Wednesday’s visit to Hull’s MKM Stadium may have created some tension between the two sets of supporters, with home fans flying the Turkish flag in honor of club owner Acun Ilicali – but he released a heartfelt statement urging supporters to “respect” the visitors’ support and passed on his thoughts to Chris and Kev’s family and friends.
The full statement reads:
“I may now own a football club, but most of all I am someone who lost my parents at the age of 20 and know what the loss of a life means to a family.
“As a football fan who has traveled all over the world to watch the game I love, I cannot fathom not being able to return home after such a trip.
I would like to share the thoughts of everyone at Hull City.
” to the family and friends of Chris and Kev.
As we welcome Leeds United and their fans to MKM Stadium, I would like to echo the sentiments of Vice Chairman Tan Kesler and ask our wonderful fans to demonstrate that we are one Real family club.
loud, proud, but respectful of our guests.
“Football is a tribe and a passion, but football is also a family.
To both sets of supporters, enjoy the game.
The statement was met with approval from supporters of both sides and Whites boss Kinnear also thanked his Tigers counterpart for reminding fans to “remember Chris and Kev” throughout the match.
In a statement released Wednesday, he said:
“We would like to thank Acun and Tan for their messages over the past few days, it’s great to see Chris and Kev getting noticed by goalkeepers at clubs across the country.
“We know that Hull City supporters have been flying Turkish flags in the crowd since Acun bought the club and so it’s great to see the club proactively reminding their supporters to keep Chris and Kev is at home before the game tonight.
“