Confusion over Christian Atsu's whereabouts as football in Turkey postponed
09-02-2023 12:36 PM
Ammon News - The whereabouts of former Newcastle United midfielder Christian Atsu remain unknown despite reports he was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed building alive following earthquakes in Turkey.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation has postponed all professional football fixtures in all leagues until at least February 17 as the country deals with the aftermath of the devastating quakes that has so far killed more than 15,000 people.
On Tuesday, Atsu's Super Lig club Hatayspor and the Ghana Football Association claimed the 31-year-old former Ghana international had been found alive and transferred to hospital after being pulled from the rubble of a building.
Hatayspor vice-president Mustafa Ozat on Tuesday told Radyo Gol Atsu "was removed from the wreckage with injuries" but that sporting director Taner Savut "is still under the rubble."
However, an update on Wednesday provided by Hatayspor manager Volkan Demirel and club doctor Gurbey Kahveci said that both Atsu and Savut have yet to be located.
“There is no news about Atsu and Taner Savut yet. Wouldn’t I share this if they were in the hospital? I will share it as soon as the news comes,” Demirel told Spor Arena.
“People are working day and night, I hope both of them will be saved. The whole team took shelter in their families.
“I will share everything as information comes.”
Kahveci is quoted as saying: “When we heard the news that he was taken to Dortyol Hospital we especially went and looked, but he was not there.
“At the moment we accept that Savut Taner and Christian Atsu were not found, unfortunately.”