By Martin Banks - 14th May 2009
I am amazed that so many have signed it in such a short space of time
Richard Corbett
UK Socialist deputy Richard Corbett says he is "staggered" at the response to his petition demanding that Uefa, football's European governing body, overturns Leeds United's defeat in the 1973 European cup winners' cup final.
Corbett, who represents Yorkshire and the Humber, launched the campaign nearly two months ago and plans to submit the petition to Uefa on Friday.
The petition, signed by over 15,000 people, including ex-Leeds stars like Peter Lorimer, calls for an investigation into allegations of match-fixing surrounding United's 1-0 loss to AC Milan 26 years ago.
"I am amazed that so many have signed it in such a short space of time," he said.
Corbett, a Liverpool fan, wants the matter investigated because he regards it as a long-standing point of principle.
He says he has been invited to meet senior Uefa officials in Geneva, where the body is based, to discuss the issue in June.
Uefa say they are unable to investigate cases more than 10 years old but Corbett points out there is a precedent for opening an inquiry.
In 1984, the English side Nottingham Forest won the first leg of a European tie 2-0 at home only to lose 3-0 in Belgium, with a controversial goal ruled out.
Anderlecht later admitted they had paid Spanish official Emilio Guruceta Muro over €20,000 as a "loan" before the game and were later banned from European competition for a year
Author Gary Edwards was at the game in Thessalonika that night and told this website, "It was obvious in the opening minutes that there was no way Leeds were going to win.
"The referee, Christos Michas, arrived on the same plane as AC Milan and any thoughts that this was just a coincidence were banished after only four minutes when the referee awarded a free-kick to Milan for an innocuous challenge by Paul Madeley.
"Chiaguri, a Milan player, hit the ball against a United defender, the ball then bounced onto a Milan forward before going into the net via the foot of a post.
"Throughout the game, absolute cast-iron penalty appeals from United were turned down. These ranged from blatant handballs to forwards being hacked down on several occasions.
"Anyone who feels these claims are wildly exaggerated should sit down and watch the DVD of the game.
"Another puzzling thing that night was the fact that Milan only scored once, but of course in hindsight that was all they needed.
"Christos Michas is Greek, which made it even more baffling that he arrived on the Milan plane, but his fellow countrymen in the crowd were so incensed with his behaviour that they constantly chanted 'Shame!' and 'Cheat!' They even began chanting the name of Leeds United along with the United fans."
Edwards, a lifelong Leeds fan, said "After the game, as Michas ran for cover down the tunnel, the Greeks halted a lap of honour by the Italians by bombarding them with missiles and anything they could lay their hands on. Milan too, then disappeared down the tunnel, leaving the Leeds players on the pitch to accept the plaudits.
"In 2004, I visited the same stadium when Leeds United were invited to the opening of a newly refurbished stadium. During this visit I met many Greeks who still remembered that night and in particular their shamed countryman, Christos Michas."
He added, "I wish Richard Corbett all the best with his campaign to get justice. At the very least it has brought this despicable affair to a wider public."
