The world awoke to a heartrending news. The kind of news that sends shivers down one's spine. The team, Associacao Chapecoense De Futebol (ACF) were due to play the 1st leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico National but unfortunately on the 28th day of November 2018, the charter flight carrying the 1st team crashed on a mountainside in Colombia. The match was billed to be the biggest match in the history of Chapecoense. 77 passengers (Staff and players from the club) were on board the flight, only 6 survived with injuries of which 3 were Chapecoense players.
The LaMia Airlines Flight 2933 is said to have crashed as it approached Medellin, Colombia due to an electrical failure and possibly lack of fuel. The surviving players were left back Alan Ruschel, backup goalkeeper Follmann (a leg had to be amputated due to injuries sustained), center back Neto, and goalkeeper Danilo died on his way to the hospital. 9 players did not travel.
As a result of the crash, the 2016 Copa Sudamericana final has been suspended indefinitely. Atletico Nacional of Colombia (their opponents in the final) have made a request to the governing body that Chapecoense be awarded the trophy. Nivaldo (goalkeeper), clearly devastated, immediately announced his retirement from football.
Brazilian Clubs in solidarity have agreed to loan players to them for free and a request has been sent to the Brazilian FA for the club to be immune from relegation for the next 3 years.
It was indeed shocking, tragic and excruciating. Many of the locals camped at the club's stadium until the team's bodies arrived.
It leaves the city dejected and Brazil as a nation have been plunged into distress. It has been a horrendous last few years for Brazil: debacle in the 2014 World Cup, political upheaval, zika virus epidemic, birth defect microcephaly, bribery and scandals at Petrobras, impeachment of President Dilma Rouseff and a general recession in the country. The club represented a tight, well-organised and competent unit. It stood out as a club punching above its weight, a hope of a nation not just a city. Founded in 1973, it entered Brazil's 4th division by 2009, and by 2014 was in Brazil's Seria A, surpassing all expectations.
Several clubs (Barcelona, Real madrid etc observed silence at their training grounds in a show of empathy, minute silence were held in Efl Quarter final matches in England, Al Jazira, Al shabaab also held minute silences), also numerous players (Cavani dedicated his 100th Psg goal to Chapecoence, David Luiz paid tribute to former teammates who lost their lives, Neymar, poured out his heart on his instagram page).
Reactions:
Pele: 'Brazilian football is in mourning. It is such a tragic loss. My sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. Rest in Peace'.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino: 'This is a very, very sad day for football. At this difficult time our thoughts are with the victim, families and friends. Fifa would like to extend its most heartfelt condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the football community, and media organisations concerned in Brazil'.
Rooney: 'Sad news to wake up to today. Thoughts are with @ChapecoenseReal and their family and friends.
Ronaldinho: 'Power to the families and friends of all people who were on this plane. May God comfort you in this time of grief'.
Neymar: 'Impossible to believe in this tragedy, impossible to believe in the event, impossible to believe that the plane crashed, impossible to believe that athletes, humans were on this plane, impossible to believe that these people left their families .. IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BELIEVE !!! Today the World cries, but heaven rejoices in receiving Champions. My feelings to all family and friends' Forca Chape.
So many more tributes have been pouring in from all over the globe. Their story was a fantastic fairytale with a tragic end.
FORCA CHAPE!!! Forever in our hearts.
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