Rio Ferdinand is hated by Leeds fans.
(Credit: Tribun Dergi/Imago)
Jack Dawson
Fri 16 May 2025 9:57, UK
Rio Ferdinand has once again enraged Leeds United fans after a shocking video circulated online of the ex-Manchester United defender.
One of the downsides of the Peacock’s promotion to the Premier League is that it is inevitable that Ferdinand returns to Elland Road as a pundit.
The former Leeds defender is still hated by the Elland Road fanbase over 20 years after he left the Yorkshire club.
Now, the former England international has disgusted Leeds fans after a video went viral of him chanting support for Turkish side Galatasaray.
Rio Ferdinand filmed celebrating Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup final victory
It is clear that no love is lost between Ferdinand and the Leeds fanbase.
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The former Peacocks defender has never been forgiven by the Elland Road faithful for going to Manchester United in 2002.
While Ferdinand has since admitted that ‘he didn’t know the extent of the Roses’ rivalry’, his antics over the years have not helped his defence.
Rio Ferdinand at Leeds United
Appearances 73
Goals 3
Honours Premier League Team of the Season 2001-02
Ferdinand was brought by Manchester United in 2002 after two seasons at Elland Road
Ferdinand has previously ignored Leeds live on air as the hatred between the two parties grows.
Now, the former England international may have done his most insensitive thing yet.
Galatasaray won the Turkish Cup on Wednesday. Despite the club being on the other side of the continent, Leeds shares a fierce rivalry with the Turkish outfit after the violence in the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final.
Yet, Ferdinand is either ignorant of this or simply ignores it, as a video circulating online (14 May) shows the former defender chanting his support for Galatasaray.
This shows exactly why Leeds fans hate him, as the chant is highly insensitive to those who died in the violent attacks.
Ferdinand cannot question why Leeds fans hate him
In recent years, Ferdinand has admitted he is puzzled as to why Leeds do not like him.
He told BBC News (13 December 2023): “About six months to a year ago I did a game and the Leeds away fans were just in front of me.
“I swear to you I was taken aback by how upset and angry they still are with me. This transfer was over 20 years ago and I’m thinking ‘are you still upset about this?'”
Yet, his antics over the years have only served to invoke Leeds supporters more.
Considering Ferdinand joined the Peacocks just months before the violence in the UEFA Cup, it is hard to believe he does not understand the hatred between the two clubs.
Therefore, if his chant of support of Galatasaray is to enrage Leeds fans, he can have no complaints when he is inevitably booed at Elland Road next season.
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