Trabzonspor pay poignant tribute to earthquake rescue workers - in pictures

Fans presented a tifo at Akyazi Arena depicting an image of an emergency worker carrying a child before Thursday's Europa Conference League match against Basel

Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Play-Off First Leg - Trabzonspor v Basel - Senol Gunes Spor Kompleksi Akyazi Stadyumu, Trabzon, Turkey - February 16, 2023 Trabzonspor fans display banners and Turkey flags for victims of an earthquake in Turkey and Syria inside the stadium before the match REUTERS / Stringer TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Trabzonspor supporters wave Turkish flags in support for the earthquake victims. EPA

Trabzonspor supporters perform a choreography in support for the earthquake victims. EPA

Trabzonspor display a giant tifo and wave Turkey flags to honour of victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. AP

The giant tifo inside the Senol Gunes stadium. AP

Trabzonspor fans inside the stadium display banners as a tribute to the earthquake victims. Reuters

Trabzonspor fans display banners and Turkey flags inside the stadium before the match. Reuters

Players observe a minute of silence for victims of earthquake in Turkey and Syria. AP

Fans hold a banner with name of the devastated city of Adiyaman before the Europa Conference League match. AP

Fans hold a banner with name of the devastated city of Malatya before the Europa Conference League match. AP

Supporters of Turkish club Trabzonspor paid a poignant tribute on Thursday night to rescue workers following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The Super Lig side, hosting Swiss club Basel in a Europa Conference League match, said all the proceeds of the match would go to victims of the February 6 earthquake, which has claimed more than 41,000 lives.

On Thursday, Trabzonspor fans presented a tifo at Akyazi Arena depicting an image of an emergency worker carrying a child. The display also featured a Mexican German Shepherd rescue dog named Proteo that died while assisting rescue efforts.

The players of both sides and match officials wore black armbands and observed a minute’s silence before the game, while a banner on the pitch read in Turkish "Yaninizdayiz" - "We are with you".

Both teams had agreed to not celebrate any goals. When Trabzonspor’s Jens Stryger Larsen scored the tie’s only goal in the 65th minute, the home team stood together in solidarity while holding a Turkey shirt. The revenue from Thursday’s ticket sales will go to relief funds.

Speaking after the match, Trabzonspor manager Abdullah Avci told UEFA.com: “Football has a power to heal and unite. I'm so glad that we played this game tonight. All the Turkish clubs supported us today, and everyone in the country showed their support. It's emotional.”

The Super Lig, the top tier of Turkish football, has been suspended since an earthquake of 7.8 magnitude struck in the early hours of February 6 in southern Turkey and northern Syria. A second earthquake of 7.6 magnitude occurred hours later.

Ghanaian winger Christian Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, remains missing since the disaster.