Hatayspor have been eliminated from Turkey’s premier football tournament after Monday’s devastating earthquake that affected its first team, the Turkish Clubs Union announced this Friday.
Hatayspor has sent a letter warning that they will not play the remaining games of the season,” club association president Ali Koç said at a press conference along with Turkish Football Association leader Mehmet Buyukeksi.
Ghana striker Christian Atsu, who played for Porto and Rio Ave, has still not been found, despite the club erroneously reporting that he was rescued from the rubble, as well as sporting director Taner Savut.
Apart from Hatayspor, who have already officially announced their withdrawal, Gaziantep are also considering not finishing in the Turkish top league and should announce their decision by Monday.
Ali Koç has stated that even if Gaziantep FK also does not continue, he plans to continue the championship with the remaining teams (17) and that the rights and participation of the eliminated clubs are guaranteed for the next season.
Hatayspor is in 14th place in the standings with 23 points, led by Galatasaray with 54 points and Gaziantep in 10th place with 25 points. The restart of the Turkish league after the earthquake has been postponed and should resume on March 3.
Antioch, the headquarters of Hatayspor, and Gaziantep are the two cities hardest hit by the earthquake in Turkey, which has killed more than 18,500 people in the country, according to the latest figures.