The players' union and the Venezuelan football community rally to support earthquake victims

• Venezuela was struck by two consecutive earthquakes that have so far claimed 1,450 lives, injured more than 3,000 people and left hundreds missing
• Among the dead are four footballers, along with members of their immediate families
• Venezuelan player union AUFPV and footballers across the country quickly launched relief efforts to support those affected

On the afternoon of Wednesday 24 June, an earthquake and a powerful aftershock, both measuring more than 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck several parts of Venezuela, leaving 1,450 people dead, more than 3,000 injured and hundreds still missing.

The scale of the disaster prompted an immediate response across Venezuelan society, and the football community was no exception. Venezuelan player union AUFPV, together with footballers from across the country, quickly rallied to support those affected.

The football community suffered its own losses. Those who died include Yimbert Berroteran, a striker for UCV and the Venezuela U-20 national team; Yordelis Pereira of Academia Puerto Cabello in the women’s first division; Sijaa Palacios of Caracas U-18 team; and 14-year-old Victor Palacios, who was part of a youth academy. Furthermore, Jose Manuel Pimentel, a youth player for Deportivo La Guaira, is still missing.

Another tragic loss was the family of Lucas Trejo, an Argentinian footballer who enjoyed a long and much-loved career in Venezuelan football. His team-mates, led by Robert Garces and Edson Tortolero Jr, joined the search and rescue efforts in the hope of finding them alive. Their involvement was just one example of players volunteering on the ground to help clear rubble and search for survivors.

Venezuela internationals Telasco Segovia and Jon Aramburu, and former national team player Tomas Rincon, have also been volunteering at collection points and in town squares, helping those affected by the disaster.

Others contributed by supporting the AUFPV’s fundraising campaign. Alongside maintaining close contact with affected players and providing support behind the scenes, the union established a collection centre for food, essential supplies and other relief materials. It also opened its bank accounts to receive financial donations for those affected.

Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos, who plays for Thorns FC in the NWSL, also appealed for support. In a post on Instagram, she used her international profile to raise awareness of the disaster and encourage donations from around the world. Through the Sun.risas Foundation, she has so far helped raise more than $300,000.

Before matches on the final two matchdays of the FIFA World Cup group stage, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the victims.