Each of this week’s European matches will begin with a minute of silence in remembrance of those lost in the earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, according to UEFA.
The United Nations’ humanitarian organization on the ground estimates that the death toll from last Monday’s high-magnitude earthquakes that slammed southern Turkey and northern Syria will likely double from the current total of over 33,000.
In Syria, it is claimed that over five million people have been rendered homeless, while Turkey has reported that over a million people are using temporary shelters as a result of the tremors.
The Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League knockout stage matches this week will all feature tributes to the deaths, according to information released by UEFA.
A minute’s silence will be observed before every fixture across UEFA’s club competitions this week, while a commemorative banner featuring the message, ‘We are together with you’, will be displayed in Turkish and Arabic.
A statement released by European football’s governing body on Monday also confirmed black armbands could be worn at the discretion of teams and referees.
Last week, UEFA confirmed it would donate €150,000 to the Turkish Football Federation and an additional €50,000 to the Bonyan Organization and Tiafi, both assisting in disaster relief.
Trabzonspor are the only Turkish club in action in UEFA’s competitions this week, hosting Basel in the first leg of their Europa Conference League knockout round play-off tie.
Istanbul Basaksehir and Sivasspor advanced to the last 16 of that competition as group winners, while Fenerbahce are into the same round in the Europa League.
Hatayspor and Gaziantep, two clubs based in the region effected by the earthquake, have withdrawn from the Turkish Super Lig.
Former Chelsea, Newcastle United and Everton winger Christian Atsu, who plays for Hatayspor, is still missing.