Premier League star forced to hide in Middle Eastern bunker in ‘terrifying’ ordeal amid US-Iran conflict

Newcastle defender Fabian Schar has revealed he spent a ‘terrifying’ few days in the Middle East amid Iran’s retaliatory strikes on the region.

Schar, who confirmed that he had since returned home safely, posted a picture on his social media of what appeared to be a hotel’s storage room with mattresses and pillows strewn across the floor.

The 34-year-old had undergone surgery in London after suffering an ankle injury in January, and had travelled to the Gulf to recuperate.

Across the photo, Schar wrote: ‘I’ve just had a few of my most terrifying days having unfortunately witnessed first-hand what’s happening in the Middle East.

‘I was there as part of my rehabilitation programme and I’m glad I found a way to get home safely. But what we experienced there, and what’s happening right now, is truly frightening. I hope that help gets to all of the people who need it in those affected areas.’

Airspaces across the Middle East have been shut since the strikes began, with Tehran, Baghdad, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait and Damascus airports all still closed and leaving thousands stranded in the Gulf.

The 34-year-old had undergone surgery in London after suffering an ankle injury in January, and had travelled to the Gulf to recuperate

Since the war broke out on Saturday, more than 130,000 Britons have registered their interest with the UK government in being helped to leave the region.

The government has chartered its first flight for this evening, which was due to leave Oman at 7pm. Elsewhere, a limited number of flights only just started leaving today from Dubai.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, who moved to Dubai last year with his family, earlier this week opened up on his ‘scary’ new reality in the Gulf.

Ferdinand said: ‘It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what it is – going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know as we don’t know the details of what they are.

‘It’s telling your kids what it is and helping them navigate through this moment, which is important especially as the dad of the house. You want to try and remain calm and keep everybody as calm as possible.

‘It’s been a bit of a scary situation but at the same time weirdly enough I’ve felt very secure and looked after. My studio has become my bunker.

‘We were advised to go into the basement on the first night all the noise started and we were down here sleeping with duvets and stuff. We are utilising the space wisely.’

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said on Tuesday that the government were ‘working with airlines, with the travel industry, with governments across the region to make sure that there will be safe ways for people to return home’.

Cooper said: ‘The safety and security of British citizens is our top priority, and we know that hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the conflict and escalation in the Middle East and the Gulf. This includes holiday makers, business travellers and visitors who can’t return home because of airspace closures or strikes.

‘That’s why we have the Foreign Office crisis centre that is open 24/7 and why we’ve asked people to sign up to register your presence, so that we can make sure there is up to date information and to follow travel advice across the region.

‘The team here will keep doing everything possible to make sure that advice is updated and to do everything possible to keep British citizens secure and safe.’