- Nasima Akter
Besiktas Fans Throw Toys On Field For Donation
A touching moment happened during the Turkish Super League match between Besiktas and Antalyaspor. Several Besiktas fans threw stuffed toys onto the pitch to be donated to children affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
The moment happened when the game was stopped after four minutes and 17 seconds, the same time the earthquake struck in Turkey. Besiktas fans then threw scarves, hats, and cuddly toys onto the pitch, showing their solidarity with those who have been affected by the disaster. The event was called "this toy is my friend," and was meant to give morale to the children affected by the earthquake.
Players rushed to collect the stuffed animals while the scoreboard screen flashed with the license plate numbers of the eleven Turkish provinces impacted by the earthquake.
Besiktas Statement
Besiktas released a statement thanking their fans for the meaningful event. They said, "Our fans organized a meaningful event called 'this toy is my friend' during our A team's football match with Antalyaspor at Vodafone Park in order to give morale to the children affected by the earthquake that stifled our country. We would like to thank our fans for their meaningful event."
Besiktas defender Tayyib Sanuc summed up the feeling of the team, saying, "There are more important things than football. We are going through difficult times as a country. Together we will heal the wounds. Our fans held a meaningful event – I was very touched. I hope we never experience such a disaster again."
In the aftermath of the event, the game went on to finish goalless as Besiktas moved up to third in the table.
What's Next for Besiktas?
Following the match against Antalyaspor, the Turkish sports club was meant to play against Fenerbahçe but the match is currently postponed. So far, the only confirmed match that the team has in the following days is a match against Ankaragücü on March 6.
Turkey's Status
Currently, the death toll from the earthquakes in Turkey and neighboring Syria has now surpassed 50,000. It's a tragedy that has affected so many people, including Ghana winger Christian Atsu, who was among the victims. Atsu was found dead on February 18th under the building where he lived in southern Turkey.
The series of devastating earthquakes in Turkey caused over 160,000 buildings to collapse or suffer severe damage, with the most powerful earthquake measuring a magnitude of 7.8. In the aftermath, the country has experienced around 9,000 aftershocks.
Last Time Toys Were Thrown in a Football Field
The scene of toys being thrown into a football field is not new. The last time toys were thrown during a match was in December 2022.
The event occurred in the aftermath of a Real Betis and Real Sociedad. When the teams left the field, Real Betis supporters took their cue, throwing thousands upon thousands of toys and stuffed animals onto the pitch as a part of a charitable effort to help underprivileged children and families around Christmas.
It's an annual toy drive for Real Betis, and several other teams and clubs have similar moments.
