Sea of emotions as Brazilian club Chapecoense plays first match since plane crash
Emotions were raw as Chapecoense played their first match since most of their players died in a plane crash.
Thousands of fans gathered under a blazing sun in southern Brazil on Saturday as the team played their first match since the air crash in Colombia in November where 71 people on board, many of them players, officials and reporters lost their lives.
Before kick off survivors and their relatives took centre stage. The goalkeeper who had his leg amputated as a result of the crash, was presented with the Copa Sudamericana. The team had been traveling to the tournament’s final when the tragedy occurred.
Follman cried as he lifted the trophy.
The wives of the players killed in the crash received the medals their husband’s would have been awarded.
There was no minute of silence, instead the friendly against Palmeiras stopped at the 71st minute to allow fans to sing the now famous ‘Vamos Chape!’ chant in tribute to the players and staff.
The Arena Conda stadium was adorned with thousands of hand-made origami in the shape of hearts and tsurus, birds that signify health, good fortune and long life.
One banner behind the goals read, “Eternal Champions, kit man to the president”, a reference to the many players and backroom staff who died.
Chapecoense were awarded the Sudamericana title by CONMEBOL in December after the fixture was cancelled.
