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Harry Kewell has signed a three-year deal with Turkish club Galatasaray.

Kewell was a free agent after refusing to accept a new contract at lower terms from Liverpool. Benitez was apparently worried about Kewell’s continuing injury problems.

Real Leeds fans know the history between Galatasaray and the murders of two Leeds United fans and the rest of the football “community” in England couldn’t care less as evidenced by the “Istanbul songs” sung at away grounds.

Harry Kewell’s move will be seen differently by both groups  - with disbelief and anger by one and with “he’s a professional footballer and entitled to go to Galatasaray who are in the Champions League” by the other.

In the end who has the right to judge the actions of a professional footballer in choosing his next contract?

Do fans have the right of expectations of loyalty to past affiliations from professional players? (Kenny Miller has gone successfully gone from Rangers to Celtic and back to Rangers this summer in a rivalry far more deeply felt than that of Leeds and Galatasaray)

Are we blaming Kewell for the fact that Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight and their families have been denied proper justice by Turkish law?

Are the reactions of Leeds fans exacerbated by the means and manner of his departure to Liverpool five years ago  and the feeling that the lost ten million pounds on his transfer accelerated the decline of a club in financial crisis? Would we react differently if it was Jonathan Woodgate, Dom Matteo or James Milner who was going to Galatasaray?

Is it our own fault for putting so much love and faith in mere flawed human beings just because they wear a shirt of a particular colour, even though we know they are being paid to do so? 

When they leave us for a bigger pay packet (or because they supported the other team as a kid) are we right to be indignant, upset even violent in our reactions? Did we not see it coming? We read daily of the parties, the bling, the Bentleys, the drugs, the internal use of mobile phones, the tappings up, the “roasting” of girls - and then we get outraged when these very same people do not conform to what the rest of us see as the moral or “decent way” to act and show loyalty to a club and its fans.

They didn’t ask for the adoration of its fans - it often just comes with the territory - so is it their fault if they don’t match up to that love from the fans and their ideals?

This summer thousands of fans are being disappointed when players make seemingly incomprehensible decisions to walk away from clubs - this year even Manchester Utd fans are sweating over Ronaldo’s future! Twenty million fans worldwide, playing in front of 75,000 every other week, £120,000 per week pay packet, Premier League Champion, Champions League winner, 42 goals scored, a home to die for, beautiful cars and women - and yet it seems Ronaldo still sees something that Real Madrid can offer him that will make him turn his back on all that and the Man Utd fans that love him dearly!

So is Ronaldo’s behaviour to be judged as in the wrong, or are the Man Utd fans expectations in he wrong or is neither at fault?

Ultimately, Harry Kewell used his own moral compass to tell him this move was not only right for his career but acceptable to his conscience, and it is his right to do so.

The fans observing this move will instinctively use their own values to decide its rights and wrongs but whether we have the moral authority to judge a player is another question entirely.

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  1. TopCat Said,


    I suspect Kewell has not yet signed for Galatasaray as indicated by his agent. My feeling is that he (and the club) have deliberately leaked the info to gauge the reaction. If he is condemned, then the move will not happen, otherwise its a done deal. I dont think he cares a hoot about Leeds fans but more considered about reaction in Oz.
  2. Andy Said,


    Kewell can sign for ANY club in the world as far as I am concerned…..but not Galatasaray - Has he no shame.
    We are Leeds
  3. John Said,


    2 Leeds fans were killed by fans of this team. It is a unique situation incomparable to Ronaldo’s situation. Please have some respect for the lives lost and their families..I understand your point and yes Kewell has the right to go anywhere he wants: We as fans cannot dictate their actions, BUT the families of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight have every right to expect that any former Leeds player, especially of that era, will understand why such a move should not even be considered as it will only cause them to relive the horror and sadness of that infamous night in Instanbul.
  4. mecha Said,


    what happened? ok, 2 leeds fan killed by 1 Gala supporter.
    is there 1 Gala supporter on the world ? Only 1 ? Gala have 20 million fan in Turkey.
    most of them was sad about leeds fans. Why do you hate Galatasaray.
    or did Gala Chairman said to murder “kill them” ???
  5. pricey Said,


    judas gready little man,and his wife supposed to be leeds,hang your dirty disgusting head in shame kewell your a disgrace BREAK A LEG
  6. Dazzler17 Said,


    Just look at the hatred…Harry Kewell signs for Galatasaray and apparaently lovely comments are popping up on forums everywhere with filthy examples of Leeds supporters anger bordering on criminal with hopes for his wife and children to be hurt and worse coming to them on a daily basis. I’m disgusted and ashamed to be a Leeds supporter today. Does anyone really believe the Speight and Loftus families have given Harry Kewell a second’s thought? I’m sure the terrible memories of that night in Turkey have come back vividly for them these past days due more to the widespread opinion of ill educated and base denominator inhabitants of the football “family” Why does anyone expect a former / or any player for that matter, to show the same loyalty to your club as you do? Why should they? Theyre bought, traded and sold as a commodity like any item in the global market, who the hell thinks they should then be obligated to have a lifelong affinity with your club is deluded. You have done more to bring up the horrible events of that night in Turkey for those boy’s families than Harry Kewell ever could on his own. Harry Kewell not welcome back in Leeds? With the knee jerk lynch mob mentality shown over the past few days I’d be surprised if going back to Leeds would even have entered his mind.Shame Leeds United supporters, shame.

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