Many international sports leagues expressed their solidarity with the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which left thousands of dead, injured and homeless.
Yesterday, Monday, the European Football Association (UEFA) announced the organization of a “minute of silence” at the beginning of 20 matches from different leagues on the continent this week, in solidarity with these victims.
“4 matches of the Champions League, 8 matches of the European League and 8 other matches of the European Conference League will witness a minute of silence in solidarity with the victims of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria,” UEFA said in a statement.
A minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria#Champions League#beINUCL | #UCL pic.twitter.com/IQTtkcvymh
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 14, 2023
“During the pre-match ceremonies and during the moment of silence, a commemorative banner will be displayed on the field with the message (we are with you) written in Turkish and Arabic,” the statement added.
The message will also be shown by television stations and on giant screens in each stadium, in addition to allowing the wearing of black armbands “at the discretion of teams and referees” in each league, according to the statement.
UEFA also made an “initial” donation of 200,000 euros to support the humanitarian efforts following these earthquakes.
UEFA and our partner, the @UEFA_Foundationhave made an initial donation of €200,000 to support the vast humanitarian operation assisting victims of last Monday’s two devastating earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria.
Full story: ⬇️
— UEFA (@UEFA) February 10, 2023
For its part, the European Basketball Federation (FIBA Europe) declared its solidarity with the victims of this earthquake, and called for the support of donation campaigns for those affected.
“We encourage everyone to help by collaborating with the UNHCR and Oxfam emergency funds,” he said in a tweet.
This continental federation has published links to fundraising campaigns led by the organisations.
Donations and mourning
The English Premier League Football League (La Liga) announced – in a statement last Friday – that it will provide one million pounds sterling in response to the relief appeal launched by the country’s Disaster Emergency Committee to provide humanitarian aid to those in need.
The League statement said that it “feels deeply saddened by the devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, which claimed the lives of thousands of people.”
Players and officials of last weekend’s matches also wore black armbands, in solidarity with those who lost their lives and were affected by these tragic events.
On Thursday, the Disaster Emergency Committee, made up of 15 British organizations, launched a relief appeal to help those affected by the earthquakes.
The British government has also pledged to donate the same amount that the campaign will raise, up to a maximum of £5 million.
And the Bundesliga, the first division of German football, joined the list of solidarity, as it posted hours after the earthquake occurred a tweet in which it said, “We were shocked by the news of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria, announcing its standing” with the affected and their families.
The Bundesliga recommended a “minute of silence” before the 20th round matches in the first and second divisions, in addition to the players wearing black armbands in solidarity with the earthquake victims.
In Italy, the Serie A football league, Serie A, expressed its solidarity with the earthquake victims in a tweet that read, “Our prayers and prayers are for all those affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.”
Cricket and American football
In the United States, the National Football League “NFL” (NFL) called on fans of the game to donate to those affected by the devastating earthquake.
Prior to the final “Super Bowl” match between Kansas and Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday evening, the field anchor spoke about “the devastation of Turkey and Syria, which are suffering from the effects of the earthquakes that claimed thousands of lives.”
“We extend our continuous prayers and urge fans to visit the website dedicated to supporting relief efforts,” the broadcaster said.
In Bangladesh, the Sylhet Strikers and Khulna Tigers held a “minute of silence” ahead of their Premier League cricket match.
The Sher Bangla National Cricket Ground also displayed a giant screen with a message of solidarity written on it saying, “Our hearts are with Turkey and Syria.”
Formula 1 racing
Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, participating in Formula 1 racing, expressed solidarity with the earthquake victims on social media.
Hamilton posted – through his Instagram account, which is followed by more than 31 million people – links to donation campaigns for several organizations working to provide the basic needs of those affected by this earthquake.
His colleague Russell also shared some donation links on his social media accounts, stressing that “everyone can make a difference by helping the people of Turkey and Syria.”
Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the International Federation organizing the Formula 1 race, expressed his condolences for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
And at dawn on February 6, a double earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria, the first measuring 7.7 degrees and the second 7.6 degrees, and hundreds of violent aftershocks, which left great losses in lives and property, in addition to the homeless.