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Chapecoense Team Awarded Copa Sudamericana After Horrific Plain Crash

Faith In Humanity Restored!

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We have said it before, sports have a unique power to unite people. It creates an atmosphere and personal union so deep that the colors and the stadium become the person’s new skin and stadium.

What really restores our faith in humanity, is the solidarity shown during the hardest times. That is what the world of football/soccer has done with the tragedy that stroke Brazilian club Chapecoense.

Image Credit: The Guardian
Image Credit: Marca

The tragedy.

During the tragic plane crash, 71 people got killed, including 19 players and staff, on the tragedy that happened last Monday’s. Between the 6 survivors of the crash were 3 of the clubs players. The team was on their way to Colombia for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Colombian side Atletico Nacional. Due to the tragedy, Atletico Nacional asked the COMEBOL that Chapecoense should be awarded the trophy. For their sportive action, they have been given a Fair Play award to acknowledge their “spirit of peace, understanding, and fair play”.

Image Credit: bbcsports.com
Image Credit: bbcsports.com

We are the champions.

As tournament winners Chapecoense will be awarded a $2 million in prize money, that will be used to rebuild the squad. While Atletico Nacional will receive $1 million. The vice president of the Brazilian club, Ivan Tozzo, praised the decision as “justice” during a news conference on Monday. He said: “We were sure that ‘Chape’ would be champions. It’s a beautiful tribute.”  investigations continue to discover the cause of the accident, recording suggests that the plane was out of fuel moments before the crash outside Medellin.

Image Credit: The Week
Image Credit: The Week

Welcome back home.

In the small Brazilian city of Chapeco, a massive funeral was held on Saturday to commemorate the victims, after their coffins arrived. Each one had the club’s green and white flag. While 13,000 people have applied to become club members in the just two days. Around the world, teams have paid tribute to the players over the week. Giving a minute of silence in before the games start. Brazil’s leading football clubs have as well pledged to loan players to Chapecoense for free to help them keep the team in Brazil’s highest football league.

Image Credit: The Mirror
Image Credit: The Mirror

The future.

Chapecoense was supposed to play their final league match of the season on Sunday, December 11th. But have confirmed the game will not be played as the result does not impact on the league table. As Sudamericana champions, Chapecoense is guaranteed a spot in next year’s Copa Libertadores. Meaning that they will face Atletico Nacional, the current defending Copa Libertadores champions, in a two-game series, next year between the continent’s two champions clubs.

 

Legendary support.

Former legends like Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho and Argentina and Boca Juan Roman Riquelme have reportedly offered to play for the club. Both have already featured in the past in the Brazilian league.  As well another former Barca player, Eidur Gudjohnsen has offered to play for the club as well. On the other hand, Brazil will play Colombia in a friendly match at the end of January to help victims of the air crash.

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