Confusion over Ghana midfielder Atsu’s safety after Turkey earthquake

(FILES) In this file photo taken on June 26, 2019 Ghana’s midfielder Christian Atsu chases down the ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) football match between Ghana and Benin at the Ismailia Stadium. – Ghana national player and former Newcastle midfielder Christian Atsu has been found alive in the rubble of an earthquake that killed more than 4,800 people in Turkey and neighbouring Syria, Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey said February 7, 2023. (Photo by OZAN KOSE / AFP)

The coach of Christian Atsu’s Turkish club Hatayspor said on Wednesday the Ghana midfielder has not been found following the devastating earthquake in Turkey despite contradictory announcements earlier this week.

On Tuesday, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) said Atsu had “been successfully rescued from the rubble of the collapsed building and is receiving treatment” after the 7.8-magnitude quake struck Turkey and neighbouring Syria early on Monday.

Atsu, 31, spent four seasons at Chelsea before a permanent transfer to Newcastle in 2017. He signed in September for Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor, based in the southern province of Hatay near the epicentre of the quake.

“I don’t have good news, still not found under the rubble,” Hatayspor boss Volkan Demirel told AFP.

Atsu’s image agent Gaynor Frascione said she was worried about her client.

“We don’t know. Everyone is trying to locate in which medical centre he could be,” she told AFP.

“We don’t know (if he’s still alive). There were also 18 Ghanaian students in this building, the ambassador for Turkey said he was rescued, a doctor made a statement, but it’s complete mayhem,” she added.

Atsu spent five seasons at Newcastle, playing more than 100 games before leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2021.

He won the