Galatasaray cut short their training session on Monday after they learned that the father of their international striker Umut Bulut had been one of the victims of the car bombing in Ankara.

At least 37 people were killed and more than 70 injured in the atrocity in the Turkish capital, one of the casualties being Kemal Bulut who was in Ankara to watch his son play in the 1-1 draw against Genclerbirligi at the city’s 19 Mayis stadium on Sunday.

According to turkish-football.com, Umut had been attracting criticism from Galatasaray fans for his lack of goals this season and his father had come to the game to offer moral support.

Kemal was heading back to his barber shop that his son opened for him in the Kizilay area of Ankara when the car bomb was detonated.

Galatasaray confirmed the development in a statement reported by theworldgame.sbs.com.au that said: “Our capital was shaken by the fatal attack on our capital yesterday evening which targeted innocent people and we have once again been devastated by the news we received this morning.

“We have learned with sorrow that Umut Bulut’s father Kemal Bulut was one of the people to lose their lives. The club and the players offer their condolences to Umut Bulut and his family. The pain is very great.”

Umut Bulut was unaware that his father was among the victims until his brother gave him the news during training in Istanbul. The session was cut short and Umut, who turns 33 on Tuesday, left for Ankara to join his family.

The Turkish Football Federation offered condolences and its clubs are expected to observe a one-minute silence for the next round of Super Lig games to remember the victims of the bomb blast.