Turkish fans have been banned from Elland Road

UEFA confirmed the announcement this morning nine days after the deaths of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight following violent clashes in Istanbul ahead of the first leg.
Ridsdale's primary concern had been the possibility of reprisals if the fans from the Turkish club, with their 1,700 ticket allocation having already been sold, had been allowed to attend. Galatasaray had obviously objected, and were demanding their supporters be at the game, or the tie be played at a neutral venue.

But UEFA have fully vindicated Leeds, and Ridsdale said: ''I hope there won't now be a backlash from Galatasaray. At the end of the day, we have said since the events in Istanbul, it's far better for everybody if we could guarantee there would be no further incidents.

''I think this decision confirms it is easier to manage and we are delighted with the UEFA decision. What we now have to do is get on, organise the game and make sure those people who do come from Galatasaray are afforded the appropriate hospitality.

''In all the events of the last seven or eight days we haven't even thought about a football match, we have thought about the safety of the supporters, and of course the families of Kevin (Speight) and Christopher (Loftus).

''Now we will get our minds on the football match, but the result seems somehow secondary to everything that's taken place.

''I'm just keen to make sure the game takes place safely and securely and we can put it behind us.''

Ridsdale added: ''My reaction is one of relief. We have been asking for this for a week but it seemed like a lot more than seven days. We have not said the fans would not be safe but we were asked for guarantees and after what happened last week we could not guarantee safety.

''We need just to get the second leg out of the way. We have to play two football matches because violence must not prevail. We have families out there. On Monday and Tuesday next week the families are going to have to endure funerals which should not have had to happen.''

Galatasaray vice-chairman Mehmet Cansun, meanwhile, has slammed the decision as ''disgusting'' and added: ''It's unacceptable. It's double standards.''

UEFA said in their statement: ''The return match in the UEFA Cup semi-final between Leeds United and Galatasaray will go ahead as scheduled. The decision was taken (by UEFA) on reports submitted by the official UEFA Delegate at the first leg in Istanbul and the UEFA security officer, followed up by a review of the situation by the UEFA Stadia Committee, statements received from both clubs and a report from the West Yorkshire Police.

''The West Yorkshire Police informed UEFA that they would be unable to guarantee the safety of any visiting supporters travelling independently to the match. This report was submitted to the Turkish club who proposed that the match be played behind closed doors or at a neutral venue. This point of view was endorsed by the Turkish Football Association.

''In reaching its conclusion, UEFA was that the decision would not meet unanimous approval, but decided to cancel the sale of tickets to Galatasaray supporters. However the 80 complimentary tickets allocated to Galatasaray may be distributed by the Turkish team to persons who, in the opinion of the club will behave in a dignified and restrained manner. They, along with directors, players, staff and media representatives, will be regarded as Galatasaray's official party.''