Wesley Sneijder has apologised after unwittingly launching his knife range in Galatasaray colours on the 15th anniversary of two Leeds United supporters being stabbed to death in Istanbul.

Leeds fans, Kevin Speight and Christopher Loftus, were killed before the UEFA Cup semi-final first leg against Galatasaray in Taksim Square, Istanbul, on April 5, 2000.

A minute's silence will be held before Leeds and Blackburn Rovers meet at Elland Road on Saturday, but Sneijder tweeted on the morning of the Championship match: 'Finally my GalatasaraySK knife set is now available and can be delivered everywhere.'

Galatasaray striker Wesley Sneijder tweeted this advertisement for his knife range on Saturday morning

Sneijder launched his knife set online via Dutch firm Senvi which are available for £22

Sneijder later deleted the tweet and apologised as supporters reacted angrily to the ill-timed endorsement

Sneijder: 'Very sorry. I didn't know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item. #Respect'

The striker later deleted the tweet and apologised as one fan @Leedsu1Ross wrote back: '15 years ago 2 Leeds fans went to Istanbul to support their team & never returned. RIP Chris & Kev. Knives are for cowards.'

Sneijder replied: 'Very sorry. I didn't know this and deleted our promotion for the merchandise kitchen item. #Respect.'

Turkish supporter Ali Umit Demir was jailed for 15 years for the deaths of Loftus and Speight, while four other men were sent to prison for their part in the attack.

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.'

As well as the minute's silence, fans are planning to hold photographs of Loftus and Speight to mark the 15th anniversary since their deaths.

This video grab shows one Leeds fan being led away by Turkish police in Istanbul on April 5, 2000

Another fan is led away on the controversial night ahead of the 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final first leg in Istanbul

These Daily Mail front pages from April 6 (left) and April 7 (right) show how we reacted to the horrible news

Fans mark the 15th anniversary of the death of the two fans who were murdered