Turkish Football Fans Throw Toys Onto Pitch for Children Affected by Quakes

Fans of Istanbul’s Besiktas football club threw thousands of soft toys onto the pitch during a game on Sunday, February 26, after an appeal by the club for donations for children affected by the country’s deadly earthquakes.

Anadolu News said Besiktas’s match against Antalyaspor was paused with 4 minutes and 17 seconds on the clock, in memory of the first earthquake of February 6, which struck at 4:17 am.

Footage by journalist Ogulcan Coksayar shows fans throwing the toys after play was stopped at the Vodafone Arena.

“A football match should only stop for such a meaningful event. Many thanks to those who contributed!” Antalyaspor said. Credit: Ogulcan Coksayar via Storyful