HARRY Kewell has written an open letter to furious Leeds United fans in a desperate attempt to quell their anger over his move to Turkish club Galatasaray.
The Socceroos star, who spent nine years at Leeds, revealed late last week he had signed with Istanbul-based Galatasaray fortwo years after his contract at Liverpool expired in May.
And although he explained over the weekend why he had made the move, many Leeds supporters still remember that two of their fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were stabbed to death by Turkish hooligans on the eve of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in 2000.
Kewell played in that match which went ahead despite the tragedy, Leeds losing 2-0.
Today, Kewell insisted he maintained strong feelings towards Leeds and said he had chosen his new number at Galatasaray as a mark of respect for his former club.
"My love and respect for Leeds United FC and what the club has done for me will never change, no matter what anyone says about me and whatever their motives are," he wrote in a letter issued through Sky Sports in Britain.
"My sense of sorrow and sympathy for the families and friends of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight will always be with me.
"I chose the No.19 shirt when I signed for Galatasaray as a sign of respect for Leeds because that was the number I got when I first became a regular member of the Leeds United FC starting XI.
"I felt that it might be a way to demonstrate that I had not forgotten where it all started and I was hoping that in a small way it would help the healing process of the tragedy that occurred on the 5th of April 2000.
Kewell said to blame Galatasaray club for the deaths of the two Leeds fans eight years ago was "simply wrong and discriminatory".
"This is a club founded in 1905 that has a proud history of striving for sporting excellence and it should be given the same respect as any other football club," he wrote.
"I respect everyone's right to have their own opinion on whatever they like, but that does not make their opinion right.
"No one has to agree with my views or my choices, but I think it's only fair and reasonable to allow me and my family to enjoy the same democratic rights as expected by those that have been attacking me over the last few days."
But Kewell's letter has failed to calm concerns about his move among some Leeds supporters, with many sending angry emails to Sky Sports' website.
"Shame on you Harry. As someone who was there and witnessed what happened you really should be ashamed," Craig Higgins said in an email.
Tony Darley added: "For all the fine words HK says, or should I say his agent has wrote (sic) for him, there is one reason and one reason only that he has chosen to join Galatasaray, money."
Galatasaray are also involved in one of world sport's most bitter rivalries with fellow Istanbul side Fenerbahce.
Violent clashes and street fights are usual at derbies between the two.
Deaths among fighting fans are not uncommon and banners proclaiming "Welcome To Hell" add to the intimidating atmosphere at Galatasaray's Al Sami Yen Stadium.
Kewell's move is surprising after he had been liked with Italian club Roma and English Premier League outfits Portsmouth and Fulham since starring in the Socceroos' recent World Cup qualifiers.
But Kewell, who was welcomed by throngs of supporters on arrival in Istanbul, said he was excited to have joined a club with a passionate fan base.
"I know that the fans are passionate about sport and I love that," he said.
"I can't wait to get more of it."
Kewell was not named as one of the three over-age players in Australia's 18-man squad for the Olympics after telling Olyroos coach Graham Arnold he would be unable to commit fully because of his negotiations with the Turkish club.
He is one of several Australians to ply their trade in Turkey.
Socceroos Josip Skoko, Mile Sterjovski and Nick Carle have all had stints in Turkey, goalkeeper Michael Petkovic has spent the past four years there, while young striker Bruce Djite has just signed for Ankara-based Genclerbirligi.
Turkey's national team made the Euro 2008 semi-finals last month, highlighting the strength of their league.
- AAP
