Ampadu, 24, recently led his team back to the Premier League. According to a statement from Leeds United, the player separated from his Turkish fiancée, Sara Sahin, a few months ago.

However, the pair were recently seen together at a celebration marking the team's promotion, which added to the tension surrounding the incident.

The club has publicly defended Ampadu, stating he had no prior knowledge of the image and urged everyone to respect his privacy.

They expressed their support for him as a committed player who values his fans. In contrast, Sahin maintained that both she and Ampadu were aware of their son's outfit. She took to social media to clarify the situation, extending condolences to the families affected by the tragic event in Istanbul

and asserting the family's longstanding connection to Galatasaray.

Ampadu had previously honored the memories of Leeds fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, who lost their lives in the infamous incident, by laying flowers and jerseys at a memorial just last April.

Following the emergence of the controversial photo, some fans have called for him to be stripped of his captaincy.

The Welsh international began his career in Exeter City's academy before joining Chelsea at the age of 16 in 2017.

Although he played only 12 matches for his new club, he has gained experience through loans to Sheffield United, RB Leipzig, Venezia, and Spezia.

He joined Leeds United in 2023 and significantly contributed to their successful promotion campaign, helping the team amass 100 points.

In the aftermath of the incident, it is worth noting that four fans were imprisoned in 2010 for their roles in the tragedy.

Leeds legend Harry Kewell also faced backlash for moving to Galatasaray from Liverpool in 2008, responding at the time that while the incident was tragic, the club needed to look forward rather than dwell on the past.

Leeds United Fans Upset Over Controversial Shirt Photo Incident

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