Besiktas fans shower football pitch with stuffed toys as statement of solidarity for earthquake-hit kids
Besiktas fans shower pitch with toy for quake-hit kids (Source: Twitter)
The football pitch has often seen things beyond football that never fails to hit a chord in everyone’s heart. Something similar was on display in the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul as Besiktas faced off against Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig. The game was stopped at 4:17 minutes to extend a very special gesture for the earthquake-hit kids of Turkey and Syria.
The club had previously notified the fans to bring soft toys with them. Many soft toys were also placed in the seats at the stadium before the arrival of the fans. At 4:17 minutes into the game, the play was halted and fans showered the football pitch with these stuffed toys, scarves, and berets. All of these were then collected by the ground staff and will be further distributed among the quake-hit kids of the region.
7.8 magnitude quake hit Syria and Turkey at 4:17 AM on February 6
“Our fans threw scarves, berets, and plush toys on the ground of Vodafone Park to be given as a gift to the children in the earthquake region to cheer them up. We would like to thank our fans for their meaningful event.” Besiktas said in a club statement.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit parts of Turkey and Syria at 4:17 AM on February 6; hence, the halt at 4:17 minutes into the game. The devastating earthquake has already taken over 48000 lives. Ghana winger Christian Aku and Turkish Goalkeeper, Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan were also among the victims that the fans, players, and management paid tribute to before the kickoff with a moment of silence. Notably, such tributes have also taken place across leagues all over the world.
Talking of the game, it remained a goalless draw with the home team dominating possession and the overall game. The home team fired 20 shots compared to just three that Antalyaspor could manage. Besiktas are currently in third place on the Super Lig points table, battling for a chance to play the qualifiers of the Europa Conference League. Antalyaspor, on the other hand, are struggling at the twelfth spot.
