The Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder has apologised for publicising a club-branded knife set he endorses on the anniversary of the deaths of two Leeds United supporters in Istanbul.

On Saturday afternoon, Leeds are marking 15 years since the deaths of supporters Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were fatally stabbed the night before the first leg of the club’s Uefa Cup semi-final against Galatasaray.

A minute’s silence will precede Leeds’ Championship fixture with Blackburn, but people were enraged on Saturday morning when Holland international Sneijder tweeted a picture of a Gala-branded knife set which carried his image: “Finally, my @GalatasaraySK knife set is now available and can be delivered everywhere.”

The Galatasaray knife set that Sneijder initially tweeted. Photograph: Public domain

The post swiftly provoked angry responses, before Sneijder said he was unaware of the anniversary and deleted his initial tweet. In response to one tweet, Sneijder subsequently posted: “@Leedsu1Ross Very sorry. I didn’t know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item. #Respect.”

@Leedsu1Ross Very sorry. I didn't know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item. #Respect — Wesley Sneijder (@sneijder101010) April 4, 2015

A Leeds spokesman said: “It would be disappointing to see this on any day but especially this weekend when we have a number of tributes planned out of respect for the fans who went to watch their team and never came home.”

Ali Umit Demur was jailed for 15 years for the deaths of Loftus and Speight, while four other men were jailed for their part in the attack.