Man City fans' Leeds United tribute to Whites pair in Istanbul ahead of Champions League final

John Stevenson and Jon Iddon have travelled to Turkey to support his club in their potential treble-clinching game against Inter Milan on Saturday night, but today paid a visit to Taksim Square in order to lay flowers, a Leeds scarf and photos of Chris and Kevin.

The pair were murdered in Instanbul in April 2000 after being attacked prior to Leeds’ UEFA Cup semi-final game against Galatasaray. It has become a Leeds United annual tradition for fans to turn their backs to the play and applaud during a fixture around the anniversary of the double-murder. Twenty-three years ago travelling supporters turned their backs in Istanbul as Leeds took on Galatasaray, in protest that the game was ordered to be played just 24 hours on from the tragedy.

John told the YEP: “As a Man City fan who has followed my team around for over 40 years I was heartbroken at the time to see the mindless and tragic death of two fellow fans who travelled like me to support their team, but never to return home to their families. Myself and fellow blue Jon Iddon wanted to show that they will never be forgotten and were honoured to pay respect to Chris and Kev.

“We are football fans first and when our close friend Andrew Dick, a massive Leeds fan, asked us we were touched to do this on behalf of all City and Leeds fans.”

In April of this year a Leeds congregation, including the entire first-team squad and staff, as well as hundreds of supporters, gathered outside the commemorative plaque at Elland Road for a period of reflection and a minute’s silence, paying tribute to the victims. The club also produced a video featuring contributions from Chris’ brother Andy, family friend Gareth Senior, Michael Bridges, Dom Matteo and Eddie Gray, recounting the awful events of that night and sending a message to fans of all clubs regarding tragedy chanting.

Senior welcomed today’s gesture from Manchester City fans.

“A wonderful tribute for two greatly missed Leeds fans,” he told the YEP.

"It’s lovely to know they’re still thought of by other fans, especially when travelling there. From my perspective I found it quite emotional, the video brought back some bad memories but it’s also lovely to know Chris and Kev live on in football fans’ thoughts. I’ve passed it on to the families and they’re grateful that they’ve done this for their loved ones and their memories do live on.

"Let’s hope it starts something that allows us football fans to be more respectful towards each other, especially when it comes to remembering the lives of fans, players, whoever or whatever the disaster was.”