Leeds United have released an official statement after club captain Ethan Ampadu’s son was posted on social media wearing a Galatasary shirt.
The post comes 25 years after Leeds United fans Chris Loftus and Kevin Speight were tragically murdered in the Turkish capital on the eve of the Uefa Cup semi-final fixture against Galatasary in 2000.
The photo includes the child wearing a Galatasary kit, with the caption reading ‘Baby Ampaa’, whilst tagging the club captain.
It was posted by Ampadu’s ex-partner, who is believed to be Turkish.
Baby Ampaa @ethanamp26 🥹🤍 pic.twitter.com/sCzR9edtSS
— Serra (@serrasaa) May 15, 2025
The club’s official statement read: “Leeds United are aware of an image circulating online of Ethan Ampadu’s son.
"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.
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Club Statement: Ethan Ampadu
— Leeds United (C) (@LUFC) May 16, 2025
"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.”
The post sparked furious reaction from Leeds fans on X, with one fan writing: “Thick or evil?”
Another added: “You’re going to want to delete this.”
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A third described the post as “Extremely disappointing”
A fourth simply added, “What an ill thought tweet.”
Ampadu was named captain of Leeds United in July 2024, and fans are clearly disappointed with the 24-year-old’s lack of sensitivity to the subject with the "unwise" post, that tagged him in the caption.
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Ethan Ampadu has made 86 appearances for Leeds United
PA
On March 29, in a fixture held at Elland Road against Swansea, Ampadu, along with Swansea captain Ben Cubango, played a wreath of flowers down on the pitch to mark the 25th anniversary of the tragic incident.
It comes off the back of a stellar campaign for Ampadu, who captained Leeds to a 100-point, table-topping season whilst guiding the club back to the Premier League.
Since moving to West Yorkshire, the midfielder has made 86 appearances for the club since his £7million move from Chelsea in July 2023, scoring two goals.
Ampadu made his professional debut for Chelsea aged 17, and has since earned 54 caps for Wales despite being just 24.
The Welsh international will be looking to put this incident behind him and focus on the upcoming season, where Leeds find themselves with the increasingly difficult challenge of staying in the Premier League.
