Brazil’s Chapecoense football club were presented with the Copa Sudamericana trophy three weeks after suffering the loss of almost all their players in a plane…
ADVERTISEMENTBrazil’s Chapecoense football club were presented with the Copa Sudamericana trophy three weeks after suffering the loss of almost all their players in a plane crash.
The crash happened as the team were making their way to Colombia to play the first leg of the final against Atletico Nacional.
As a sign of respect Atletico requested that Chapecoense be declared the winner of the tournament and as a consequence qualified the club to participate in the 2017 Copa Libertadores.
At the draw for next season’s competition in Paraguay, Chapacoense President Plinio David de Nes Filho said: “In the name of our club (Chapecoense), in the name of our town… I would like to share the trophy we just received with those who granted us this opportunity (Atlético Nacional), for their gesture of humanity, respect, dignity and for this expression of love for fellow human beings.”
In total, seventy-one passengers, including players, support staff and journalists, died in the crash.
Three players survived.
A friendly between Brazil and Colombia has been arranged for January 25 in Rio by the Brazilian Football Confederation in order to raise money for the stricken club.