Brazil Clubs Rally Around Chapecoense

November 30, 2016
By: Milos Markovic

chapecoenseFootball world continues to display unreserved support for the Brazilian club Chapecoense in the wake of the terrible tragedy which has seen 22 members of the squad lose their lives.

A plane carrying 81 people crashed in Cerro Gordo on 28 November in what has become one of the worst football tragedies in recent times.

The flight was heading to Medellin’s international airport as Chapecoense headed to the biggest game in the club’s history.

The team were due to play against Atletico Nacional in the Copa Sudamericana finals, but a tragic electrical failure caused the plane to crash, ending the lives of 22 young professionals.

The football world is rallying around for Chapecoense with players and clubs all over the globe offering their support and paying tributes to victims.

Atletico Nacional have asked CONMEBOL to award Chapecoense with this year’s Sudamerica title, while other biggest Brazilian clubs also flocked in to offer help in these tragic times.

Country’s leading football clubs including Corinthians, who published a joint statement on their website, called for all in Brazil football to help Chapecoense rebuild as clear mark of solidarity.

“In this moment of loss and profound sadness we, the presidents of the Brazilian clubs that publish this note, would like to express our sincerest sentiments of sympathy and solidarity with the Chapecoense Football Association and its fans, especially the families and friends of the athletes, technical commission and officials involved in the tragedy that occurred on Tuesday morning (29th),” Corinthians published, asking for special measures to be put in place.

Chapecoense are in line to be exempt from relegation for the next three years, whereas Brazil’s biggest clubs are offering to loan players for free as a token of help and solidarity, claiming that is a minimal gesture which is within the clubs’ reach.

“The clubs announce solidarity measures to Chapecoense, which will consist, among others, of: (i) Free athlete loan for the 2017 season; and (ii) Formal request to the Brazilian Football Confederation so that Chapecoense will not be subject to relegation to Serie B of the Brazilian Championship for the next 3 (three) seasons. If Chapecoense finishes the championship between the last four, the 16th place would be demoted”, the statement adds.

Directors of Coritiba, Palmeiras, Portuguesa, Santos and Sao Paulo all joined Corinthians in their pledge to help the stricken football club.

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