Category: Sport

Killers rearrested over Leeds fan deaths in Turkey

The 10th anniversary of the men's deaths was marked at Elland Road in April

The brother of one of two Leeds United fans murdered in Turkey 10 years ago has welcomed news that two of the killers have been rearrested.

Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed in Istanbul on the eve of Leeds’ Uefa Cup semi-final tie against Galatasaray in April 2000.

Two of the men convicted of murder have been rearrested after losing an appeal against conviction.

Mr Loftus’s brother Andy said: “It’s a step in the right direction.”

Mr Speight and Mr Loftus were attacked with machetes when a row broke out between rival fans.

Those involved were jailed but after several months were released on bail pending an appeal.

Earlier this year an appeals court in Turkey upheld their convictions.

Andy Loftus said there was still anger over the length of time the case had taken.

“Obviously we want to see someone behind bars for this but it’s just baffling it’s taken ten years to get to this point.”

Leeds MP Fabian Hamilton, who has been campaigning on behalf of the dead men’s families, has also welcomed the news.

He said the actions of the Turkish court were “very significant” because the men had been free on bail and that had “caused a great deal of anxiety for the families”.

via BBC News – Killers rearrested over Leeds fan deaths in Turkey.

November 25, 2010
Istanbul Thinks It’s Too Cool For Allen Iverson

By RAY GUSTINI | November 22, 2010 4:06pm

Turkish basketball club Besiktas signed former Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson to a two-year, $4 million contract earlier this month, partly because A.I. was no longer good enough to play in the NBA, but also because they saw him as the kind of American superstar who, based on sheer name recognition alone, patrons in Istanbul would show up to see play.

If Iverson’s first week with the team is any indication, hoops fans in the cradle of civilization are more discerning than Beskitas management gives them credit for. Kate Fagan, covering Iverson’s stint in Turkey adventure for The Philadelphia Inquirer, says it plainly:

Iverson is not a sensation here, but rather an exciting curiosity for small pockets of basketball fans, playing for a club that doesn’t even compete in Euroleague, Europe’s most prestigious.

The 76ers’ former all-everything guard is broke – by all accounts except his own – and playing here in Istanbul for a number of reasons, none of which is to become an ambassador for Turkey’s solid, but often overlooked, professional league.

Whatever Iverson’s motives for coming to Turkey, they don’t seem to bother the people paying his $2 million salary, nor does Fagan’s withering assessment that, in a town of approximately 13 million, “thousands care that Iverson is here – maybe one in every few thousand.” She explains further:

The folks working for Besiktas believe Iverson is happy, which makes them happy. They don’t want to hear about the past, about poor performances and injuries and distractions and eventual implosion.

Even if you try to tell them, they just shrug, believing that this time is different, that Iverson is changing if not changed.

Iverson’s Turkish journey is only a few weeks old, and those paying close attention, a slim percentage of this wonderful city, are charmed by all of Iverson’s charming ways.

Considering Iverson’s new club plays its games in 3,200 seat Akatlar Arena, that slim percentage could perhaps more accurately be described as anorexic.

SOURCES

Iverson in Istanbul Kate Fagan, The Philadelphia Inquirer

via Istanbul Thinks It’s Too Cool For Allen Iverson | The Atlantic Wire.

November 23, 2010
NBA TV to broadcast Iverson’s game in Turkey tomorrow

No need to fly all the way to Turkey to catch Allen Iverson play basketball again, you can do it from the comfort of your home.

NBA TV announced yesterday that it will televise the game featuring Iverson’s Turkish team, Besiktas Cola Turka, tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. Iverson’s team will face the defending TBL champion Fenerbahce Ulker from Istanbul. Calling the game for NBA TV will be Rick Kamla and Chris Webber.

Iverson, who returned to the 76ers for 25 games last season before leaving the team because of his young daughter’s illness, scored 15 points in his Turkey debut on Wednesday. *

– Bob Cooney

via NBA TV to broadcast Iverson’s game in Turkey tomorrow | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/20/2010.

November 21, 2010
Allen Iverson and Turkish team to play on NBA TV

Former NBA all star Allen Iverson has taken his game to Turkey, but American fans can watch him play on NBA TV. Posted by Ben Golliver.

Former NBA all star guard Allen Iverson has taken his talents to Besitkas Cola Turka, a Turkish professional basketball team, but that doesn’t mean fans stateside can’t follow The Answer’s journey.

NBA TV announced on Friday that it will televise one of Iverson’s upcoming games on Sunday.

Here are all the relevant details from the network’s press release.

NBA TV announced today that it will televise Sunday’s game featuring 11-time NBA All-Star Allen Iverson and his Turkish team Besiktas Cola Turka of the Beko Turkish Basketball League against the defending TBL champion Fenerbahce Ulker from Istanbul, Turkey. This TBL game will air on NBA TV beginning at 3:30 p.m. (ET) with Rick Kamla and Chris Webber calling the contest.

Iverson, who spent 14 years in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies, scored 15 points in his debut with Besiktas during Eurocup competition on Nov. 16, when they fell 94-91 to KK Hemofarm Stada in Istanbul.

I wouldn’t be surprised if this game does decent ratings, given the gawking factor and Iverson’s popularity among a niche die-hard. And you’ve gotta love that C-Webb is on the call. It’s time to start brushing up on those pronunciations RIGHT NOW.

November 20, 2010
Merhaba (Hello) from Turkey

Merhaba (Hello) Sky fans,

This is Nique checking in with you from Turkey. Well, I’ve been here for about three months now. I had to come a little early this year. I participated in training camp here which was pretty tough. I have never in my life been through an overseas training camp before. I guess there has to be a first time for everything. The city I’m in is called Tarsus. It’s about an hour plane ride from Istanbul. There is not much to do to in the city of Tarsus. We are in the middle of two bigger cities Mercin, which is sea side, and Adana, so, we frequent these cities often.

I’m playing on the team with Plenette Peirson (New York Liberty), Shanna Crossley (Tulsa Shock) and my Sky teammate Cat Kraayeveld. The team is doing okay right now. We are 2-2 so far. We struggled in the beginning of the season but when Cat came to the team we started playing a little better. We have some tough games coming up soon. I have the chance to play against my buddy Big Syl soon. That’s going to be interesting. I’m excited to see her. I wish I wasn’t playing against her though, SMH….

Anyway, this week is a holiday week. It’s called Kurban Bayrami (Sacrifice Feast). They sacrifice sheep as a special ritual. I’ve been out today and saw the sheep flea markets. I have never seen so many sheep in my life. I think a sheep costs about $350. This is a seven day holiday here. It’s interesting to see what other countries do around their holiday time.

Well, it’s late here so I’m going to head to bed. Until next time Sky Fans. I can’t wait until the season starts in June. Thanks for all the love and support.

-Nique

via SKY: Dominique Canty: Merhaba (Hello) from Turkey.

November 19, 2010
Seven cities bid for European Championships

European Athletics is pleased to announce that seven cities have confirmed their candidature for the 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships and 2016 European Athletics Championships.

Prague, Budapest, Belgrade and Istanbul must now submit formal bids to host the 2015 European Athletics Indoor Championships by 28 February 2011. Split, Amsterdam, Bydgoszcz and Istanbul are in contention for the right to host the 2016 European Athletics Championships and are also expected to submit their bids by the end of February next year.

Istanbul is the only city to confirm its candidature for both the indoor and outdoor championships.

Christian Milz, Director General of European Athletics said, “These championships are our flagship events and a vital platform for European Athletics to communicate our messages and values across the continent, so it is very encouraging for us to receive such high quality bids.

“All these cities attended a Bidding Seminar organised by European Athletics in Lausanne in October as part of our long-term planning strategy, so they know exactly what is required from our side in order to continue to make the events a success.”

The decision on the host cities will be made after a thorough examination of the bidding documents by European Athletics and site evaluation visits.

Cities progressing through these two steps will then be invited to make a presentation at the European Athletics Council Meeting in November 2011. The winning cities will be announced after the meeting.

November 19, 2010