Hatayspor, who play in the Turkish Super League, announced on Thursday evening that they will withdraw from the series. This is confirmed by Ali Koc, the president of the league association, according to the French radio station RMC sport.
— Hatayspor sent a letter announcing that they want to withdraw and not continue this season, says Koc in connection with a press conference.
FK Gaziantep, which is geographically close to the disaster, is also considering withdrawing from the series. But no decision has been made there.
It has been reported this week that the footballer Christian Atsu, who plays in Hatayspor, should have been among the racial masses. It is currently unclear whether Atsu has been saved or not. According to Turkish media, the sports director, Taner Savut, has also disappeared without a trace after the earthquake that took place on the night of Monday.
So far, over 21,000 people have died in Turkey and Syria after the devastating earthquake. The death toll is expected to continue to rise.
The Turkish football league is on hiatus until March 3.