On Saturday evening, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the northwestern coast of Ecuador, killing at least 350 people and injuring over 2,000, according to The New York Times.
At the Estadio Christian Benítez in Guayaquil, River Ecuador and Fuerza Amarilla players felt the shock with force following the conclusion of their 1-1 fecha 12 draw, so much so, in fact, that they rushed out of the locker rooms and into the open Parque Samanes for safety.
Ecuafútbol was quick to cancel the rest of the league’s twelfth gameweek – originally scheduled to be played on April 17 and 18 – in the aftermath of the cataclysmic disaster, because it’s times like these when fútbol is so small in comparison to loss of life and terrible tragedy.
Ronaldinho and other world soccer stars proved that they can make an impact on morale and support, showing their solidarity through somber posts on social media. It’s support that reaches across the globe – from Ecuadorians abroad to fellow South American futbolistas and beyond.
To find out how you can help support Ecuador earthquake relief, click here.