Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Football fans freed in Turkey

Tuesday 30 November 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

SIX Manchester United fans held in a Turkish prison for 27 days were freed yesterday after a five-hour court hearing in Istanbul.

Allegations that they were involved in causing pounds 26,000 of damage to a hotel in the city and were ringleaders in clashes with fans of the Turkish team Galatasaray were not proved.

But the judge, in releasing the six, ordered that investigations should continue into who caused the violence before United's European Cup match in Istanbul on 3 November.

John Cunningham, a tour operator from Longsight, Greater Manchester, who organised the trip to Turkey that ended with more than 200 United supporters being deported, mouthed 'Great' as an interpreter explained the judge's decision to the six. They were Mr Cunningham, 39; Graham Cross, 38, from Walsall; Michael Sholton, 27, of Wolverhampton; Andrew Phipps, 30, Kevin Doherty, 29, and Danny Humphries, 31, all from Birmingham.

The six, who are expected home today, have been held in the Bayrampasa prison, made notorious by the film Midnight Express, charged with criminal damage and being drunk and disorderly.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in