Premier League pledge £1m in support of Turkish and Syrian victims

Premier League pledge £1m in support of Turkish and Syrian victims following horror earthquake which has killed more than 22,000 people… while clubs will wear black armbands during this weekend’s fixtures

• Earthquake has ripped through parts of Turkey and Syria, killing 22,700 people 
• The Premier League said it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the devastating quake
• Clubs and officials to wear black armbands as mark of respect to those involved 

The Premier League have pledged £1million to support victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquake, while clubs and officials will wear black armbands at matches this weekend.

Around 22,700 people have lost their lives from the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake which hit the two countries on Monday, with many injured, missing or displaced.

The League said in a statement: ‘The Premier League is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, which have killed thousands of people.

‘The League will make a £1 million donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need.

‘Also, as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives, or are affected by these tragic events, Premier League players and PGMOL officials will wear black armbands at matches this weekend.’

The Premier League have pledged £1million to support victims of the Turkey and Syria earthquake, while players will mark their respect at fixtures this weekend

The devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake has tragically killed more than 22,000 people 

One of those who is yet to be located is former Chelsea and Newcastle player Christian Atsu.

The 31-year-old Ghana international’s whereabouts remain unknown following the disaster in southern Turkey and northern Syria during the early hours of Monday morning after his current club Hatayspor revealed claims that he had been rescued were untrue.

Tremors from the deadly quake – which lasted about a minute and could be Turkey’s largest ever – were felt as far away as Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus.

Residents were jolted awake and fled from their homes in terror into the cold, rainy and snowy night across southeast Turkey and northern Syria. 

Former Newcastle and Chelsea player Christian Atsu, who now plays in Turkey, is yet to be found

Tremors from the deadly quake were felt as far away Egypt, Lebanon and the island of Cyprus – and a tsunami warning was briefly issued by authorities in Italy along the country’s coastline

Manchester City footballer Ilkay Gundogan, who has roots in the country, having been born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to Turkish parents, has donated two truck loads of bread to help those who have been impacted.

He and his wife Sara are also trying to collect more food, blankets, hygiene products and warm clothing in a desperate bid to help. 

The EFL is also supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal and all clubs will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence at their fixtures this weekend. 

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