![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Turkey-Soccer-star.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: IMAGO
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Turkey-Soccer-star.jpg?width=600)
via Imago
Credits: IMAGO
Tragedy struck Turkey early Monday when the country was hit with a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. It is believed to be the most powerful quake in the country in at least a century, killing hundreds of people and injuring thousands. Many are calling for help with Turkish soccer manager Volkan Demirel sharing an emotional message on Instagram Live.
After the earlier massive tremor, another tremor hit the country mid-morning, affecting the rescue operations. The tremors have created havoc in the country, with many people stranded for help. There are also reports of soccer and other sports team affected by the tremors, with several athletes stranded under the rubble.
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Soccer star’s teary message for help
Ex-Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Volkan Demirel was in tears on Instagram live when he asked the world to help Turkey. The current Hatayspor manager said, “Help… I want you to send all the resources you have. To the environmentalist, it is not just Hatay and Antakya… Please, I am asking you! Please, please, for the love of god, people are dying here.”
😢🇹🇷 Ex-Fenerbahçe goalkeeper and current Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel was in tears on Instagram live.
Türkiye has been hit with a very severe earthquake: 7.8 magnitude, with hundreds sadly confirmed dead. pic.twitter.com/Sr9QqyFI6v
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 6, 2023
According to Haber Global journalist Melisa Berkalp, Eyup Turkaslan, the goalkeeper of Yeni Malatyaspor, was also under the rubble, and they saved his wife. Demirel’s wife also shared a teary message when the report of Turkaslan trapped under rubble emerged. Malatyaspor, the club where Turkaslan plays, has shared a message, “Our prayers are with you.”
Haber Global further reports Malatyaspor is another soccer club affected by the tremors, as their players were in one of the hotels destroyed during the earthquake. It further added that 14 members of the Hatay girl’s volleyball team and a men’s volleyball team were left stranded below the rubble.
Broadcaster sacked Turkish commentator amid World Cup
Turkish TV TRT sacked its commentator Alper Bakircigil during the game between Canada and Morocco. They replaced him with another commentator at halftime for the remaining game.
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The incident took place when Morocco forward Hakim Ziyech scored a fourth-minute goal against Canada during the group stage game. It was the fastest goal scored in the Qatar edition. Meanwhile, Bakircigil went back to the 2002 World Cup, where the Turkish star scored the quickest goal in the history of the World Cup.
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It was a goal scored by former Turkish star Hakan Sukur in the 11th second against South Korea, which is still the quickest goal. However, the commentator got sacked for mentioning the name of Sukur, whose name they forbid in Turkey for political reasons. It came as a weird reason for the sacking of the commentator.
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Let us know in the comments your thoughts on Volkan Demirel’s emotional message calling for help to Turkey.