Brazilian Football Club Chapecoense were on their way to play in the finals of the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s second-biggest club tournament, went their plane crashed in the Colombian Mountains. 71 people were killed and only 6 survived.
Of the team members on board, only three survived. Defenders Helio Neto and Alan Ruschel, as well as reserve goalkeeper Jakson Follmann.
Follmann is believed to have had a leg amputated and remains in critical condition.
Tributes are flowing in for the Brazilian side from all over the globe, with opponents from Brazil’s top league eager to help out in any way possible.
Their final opponents, Atletico Nacional of Colombia have moved for the title to be handed to Chapecoense in tribute. Whilst their Brasileiro Serie A opponents have offered loan players to the club, free of charge, as well as the suggestion they be free from the threat of relegation for three years.
Brazil’s President Michel Temer declared three days of mourning for the victims.
Back home, FFA Chairman Steven Lowy AM issued a statement of condolence.
He stated, “On the day of our own Cup Final, our thoughts are also with Brazilians playing football in this country and the entire Brazilian community in Australia.
As a mark of respect, players from both Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC will wear black armbands in tonight’s Cup Final and there will also be a moment of silence to remember all those who lost their lives in this tragedy.”
The footballing world grieved for the players with high profile stars such as Lionel Messi, Pele and Europe’s biggest football clubs taking to Twitter to voice their condolences.
My pray and solidarity for survivors, family and friends of @ChapecoenseReal in this sad time.
— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) November 29, 2016
#VCF wish to offer their deepest condolences to those involved with the @ChapecoenseReal plane crash, our thoughts are with you all.
— Valencia CF English (@valenciacf_en) November 29, 2016
#LaLiga offers its condolences to @ChapecoenseReal & the entire football family throughout Brazil. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) November 29, 2016
?my thoughts and sincere condolences go to the families and friends of those aboard the flight #ForçaChape #Chapecoense @ChapecoenseReal
— Michael Ballack (@Ballack) November 29, 2016
My thoughts are with all members of @ChapecoenseReal and all their families! #PrayForChapecoense ???? pic.twitter.com/9CEjyQwqLs
— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) November 29, 2016
Brazilian football is in mourning. It is such a tragic loss. My sincere condolences to the families of the deceased. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/jfoTMUBWtN
— Pelé (@Pele) November 29, 2016
Before training the team held a minutes silence for the victims of the @ChapecoenseReal tragedy in Colombia pic.twitter.com/tjC3JsrWzs
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) November 29, 2016
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