The tremors from the Turkey earthquake have rippled through sports as well. The Turkish Football Federation announced that the country’s top league, the Süper Lig, would pause with games resuming on a later date. Hatayspor, one of the hardest hit clubs, faced disruption as its footballing schedule was adjusted to reflect the crisis. Gaziantep FK, a key rival of Galatasaray in the domestic frame, faced the same question about timing and safety, and the decision was to postpone.
Ismael García Gómez, assistant coach of the league leader, reflected on the postponement news during an interview with a major Spanish newspaper. He noted that the pause could feel excessive at times, suggesting that additional options might be explored. He added that many countries have faced tragedies and sometimes suspend competition briefly as a sign of mourning or for security reasons. Yet the pause could also provide an understandable escape and relief for communities during such a difficult period, while leagues continue to support football institutions that help fund relief efforts.
In broader contexts, football has occasionally served as a tool to support national resilience. Ukraine, for example, used the sport to bolster morale, with domestic leagues returning to restore a sense of normalcy and nationhood. During global lockdowns, leagues like La Liga helped sustain daily life and public spirit. The football world therefore remains a platform that can connect people even in challenging times.
Atsu remains missing
Officials explained that a season schedule would be affected by the ongoing crisis. The federation’s leadership emphasized a collective approach to support, including extending help to affected teams by adjusting the number of participants in the league. Volkan Demirel was among the early voices urging international support for recovery efforts. One player, Christian Atsu, remained unaccounted for as the search and relief efforts continued, though some sources later reported positive developments.
Sam Adekugbe shared a firsthand account of the events. He described being with teammates at a home gathering after a match when the earthquake struck abruptly. The uncertainty around Atsu’s location was evident, and the football community stayed focused on relief and communication with fans and supporters. The disaster, which left many families in distress, underscored the widespread impact beyond the sport itself.
The latest updates from those close to the situation highlighted the human side of the crisis. Atsu had been at a teammate’s residence the night the earthquake occurred, and as the tremors continued, the exact whereabouts of the player remained unclear. The tragedy contributed to a broader toll of losses, with thousands of lives affected and communities rallying to aid survivors.
Across clubs and players, the response to the crisis extended beyond the field. Caglar Soyuncu, a notable figure in European football, remained part of the broader narrative as clubs mobilized resources for relief. Former players like Lukas Podolski pledged proceeds from ventures to assist victims, and coaches like Andrea Pirlo, then at a Turkish side, worked directly to coordinate donations of food and essential supplies.