Leeds accused of lying after Ethan Ampadu's son pictured wearing Galatasaray shirt
This year marked the 25th anniversary of Leeds fans Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus being murdered in Istanbul on the eve of the Uefa Cup semi-final against the Turkish club.
Some fans called for Ampadu to be stripped of the captaincy after his son was pictured in a Galatasaray shirt, only for the club to fully back the 24-year-old centre-back. Ampadu's ex-partner, mother of his son, hit back at the club and insisted their statement was incorrect.
'Leeds United are aware of an image circulating online of Ethan Ampadu's son,' read the club's statement. 'Ethan separated from his partner several months ago and has no responsibility for the image in question. Ethan is aware of and sensitive to the tragic loss within the Loftus and Speight families.
'The club asks for Ethan's privacy to be respected in what is a difficult time for him personally. Our captain has been a leader on and off the pitch this season, demonstrating his commitment to the club, its history, and the broader Leeds community. Ethan has the full support of everybody at Leeds United.'
Saara Sa, Ampadu's former partner, responded on her Instagram social media account: 'My condolences are with the families of the two people who passed away in Istanbul. I am Turkish and our son is part Turkish. Galatasaray is my family's supporting home team and has been for years.
'We are the parents of our child and Ethan was aware of the photo. I would appreciate if Leeds United football club would not portray a false narrative by making a statement stating lies.'
During the games around the anniversary of the murders of Speight and Loftus, fans unfurled banners at Elland Road reading '25 years' and 'Never forgotten'.
Ampadu could also face a Football Association investigation after leading a notorious chant about team-mate Wilfried Gnonto's 'massive' manhood during the club's Championship-winning open-top bus parade.
Manager Daniel Farke was also caught on camera appearing to mime snorting cocaine as around 150,000 Leeds fans took to the streets on bank holiday Monday to celebrate the team's Premier League return.
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