Besiktas fans threw thousands of stuffed toys onto the pitch during a match on Sunday to donate to children affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

The Turkish Super League game against Antalyaspor was paused after 4 minutes and 17 seconds to allow fans to throw the gifts onto the pitch.

The 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck parts of southern Turkey and northern Syria at 4.17am local time on 6 February.

“Our fans threw scarves, berets and plush toys on the ground of Vodafone Park to be given as a gift to the children in the earthquake region to cheer them up,” Besiktas said in a club statement.

“We would like to thank our fans for their meaningful event.”

The death toll from the earthquake has topped 48,000.

Ghana winger Christian Atsu was among the victims. He was found dead on 18 February under the building where he lived in southern Turkey.

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