The flag is a reference to the UEFA Cup semi-final violence in Turkey in 2000
A number of Manchester United supporters were seen waving a Turkey flag as they arrived at Elland Road by coach for the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with Leeds United on Sunday.
The video, presumably filmed by a Leeds fan, was uploaded to Twitter. In the clip, a United fan can be seen holding up the Turkey flag as his bus drives past police officers at the ground.
Several Whites fans can be heard shouting for the visiting supporter to take his flag down, but the Red Devils fan(s) continued to wave it in the window.
Manchester United fans arrive with a Turkey flag at Elland Road. Shocking behaviour. #lufc #Leeds @WestYorksPolice @LUFC_WYP @PhilHay_ pic.twitter.com/FstGj7GCjz
— SGH (@_S_G_H_) February 20, 2022
The waving of the Turkey flag is a reference to the UEFA Cup semi-final violence in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2000.
Leeds fans were involved in a clash with Galatasaray before the first match of the UEFA Cup semi-final on April 5 2000, which led to the tragic deaths of two Leeds fans who were stabbed to death by Galatasaray supporters.
Following the incident, four men were arrested and charged with their murders. As a result of their deaths, Galatasaray fans were banned from attending the second leg in England.
At the time of writing, Ralf Rangnick’s side lead Leeds 1-0 thanks to United captain Harry Maguire’s first-half header – which was the Red Devils’ first goal from a corner since January 27, 2021.
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