'Disrespectful and gutless': Leeds United fans outraged as Burley Banksy Gjanni Alioski mural defaced

The street mural was painted on a telephone box near Elland Road by street artist Andy McVeigh, known as 'Burley Banksy'.

It has been tarnished with graffiti following transfer rumours linking the Leeds United left-back with Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Alioski is out of contract at Elland Road in June and there are rumours that the North Macedonian international will depart Elland Road after four years.

Leeds fans have voiced strong opinions about a potential move to Turkey on social media following the reports.

Two Whites fans were fatally stabbed on April 5 2000, the night before Leeds were due to face Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final.

Their deaths are still felt deeply by fans and sparked a long-running hatred of the club.

But many fans have stood by Alioski amid the rumours and they have been left outraged by the "disgraceful" graffiti.

After a picture of the defaced mural was shared on social media, one fan commented that the graffiti was "sickening", while another added it was "disrespectful and gutless".

Andy told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I don’t know what my work has got to do with it. If they want to deface something, they could have done it on a blank box and put their own message on there.

“If he’s a Leeds fan, it’s sad because he knows the work I put into these murals across the city. It’s sad that one of your own would do that.

“I just don’t see how it helps anyone.”

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