Turkish fans play politics and call for government resignation over earthquake disaster

February 27 - Fans of Turkey's leading clubs Besiktas and Fenerbahçe have called on the Turkish government to resign over its inadequate response to the devastating earthquake which has so far killed more than 44,000 people in the country.

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The demand from Besiktas fans resulted in chants on the terrace as they threw hundreds of soft toys and scarves onto the pitch in a gesture of support for children affected by the February 6 disaster.< /p>

"Government, step down!" they shouted as they played out a 0-0 draw with Antalyaspor.

The match was paused after four minutes 17 seconds, which is when the first earthquake hit Turkey and Syria at 04:17.

Besiktas players warmed up at the top with the names of the towns in the south of the country affected before a pre-match ceremony, with fans applauding the search and rescue officers present at the stadium.

“There are more important things than football. We are going through difficult times as a country. Together we will heal the wounds,” defender Tayyib Sanuc said.

"Our fans organized a meaningful event - I was very touched. I hope we will never look back on such a disaster again."

Fenerbahçe fans expressed similar sentiments as they chanted, 'Twenty years of lies and cheating, quit', during their 4-0 win over Konyaspor on Saturday.

Presidential and legislative elections are due to take place on May 14.

Besiktas supporters are said to be closer to the opposition than to Recep Tayyip Edogan's ruling coalition. But such slogans have become rarer after Erdogan's crackdown following the failed coup against him in 2016.

Devlet Bahceli, leader of the nationalist MHP party, Erdogan's junior coalition government partner, has called on authorities to force matches to be played behind closed doors if there are more such protests.< /p>

Earlier this month, Erdogan acknowledged "gaps" in his country's response to the disaster. But he also lambasted 'provocateurs' who criticized the rescue efforts

In the meantime, investigations have been launched against more than 600 people in relation to buildings that have collapsed.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said 184 of the 612 suspects had been jailed pending trial. Those detained include construction contractors and building owners or managers.

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