Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, known as Chapecoense, was scheduled to compete in the championship game of the Copa Sudamericana, a continental competition for South American soccer.
Chapecoense was set to play Colombian heavyweight Atletico Nacional. Sadly, the plane ran out of fuel and crashed. Of the 76 people on board, only six people survived the crash. Aviation officials said three players, two crew members and a journalist who was accompanying the team were the only people who survived. After rising through the Brazilian divisions in almost consecutive seasons, the championship match was meant to be 42-year-old goalkeeper Nivaldo’s 300th and final game. Atletico Nacional have asked the officials of the Copa Sudamericana to name Chapecoense the champions in a great show of respect and sportsmanship.
Henry Tasker
hltasker@vwc.edu
(Photo: Nelson Almeida | Fox Sports)
