Dirk Kuyt wasn’t on the bus with his Fenerbache teammates when assailants attacked it Saturday, but the news rocked the former Liverpool star to his core, nonetheless.
Kuyt said he was shaken and tearful when he found out the Fenerbache team bus had been attacked, according to Sky Sports. Would-be assassins shot at the Fenerbache team bus traveling on an aqueduct in the Turkish city of Trabzon, as it was heading to the airport following the team’s 5-1 win over Caykur Rizespor.
The bus driver, Ufuk Kiran, was seriously wounded but now is recovering from his injuries. Players and other staff were unharmed in the shooting.
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Injury prevented Kuyt from traveling with his Fenerbache teammates, but he felt similar effects to those who were much closer to the incident.
“My hands and legs are still shaking,” Kuyt told Fanaktik, according to Sky Sports. “I want to be strong for the team, but I was shaken by the news. I had tears in the eyes when I found out.”
The Turkish Football Federation and the Union of Turkish Clubs decided Monday to suspend domestic play for one week, the Associated Press reported. Fenerbache has vowed not to play again until authorities fully investigate the incident and catch the attackers.
Fenerbache occupies second place with eight games remaining in the season. It trails league-leading Galatasaray by two points.
Kuyt has played for Fenerbache since ending his six-year Liverpool career in 2012. The Dutch forward was a regular in the team that won last season’s Super Lig (Turkish first division) championship, and he is playing an important role in Fenerbache’s attempt at defending its Turkish title.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@TheAnfieldChat
