Brazil have invited Colombia to play a friendly charity football match next month in remembrance of Chapecoense players and staff killed in the air disaster.
The match will pay tribute to the families who lost their loved ones in the crash. The horrific disaster killed 71 passengers and crew members which has shocked the footballing world and sent Brazil into mourning.
Only 6 people survived the crash. Chapecoense were heading to play Atletico Nacional in the final of Copa Sudamericana final but were caught up with the tragic disaster.
“The idea is that the game will be against Colombia, for all that represents,” the spokesman said, “but we don’t know if they will be able to come because of the dates.”
“But a friendly will take place, against someone else if not Colombia, probably on either Jan. 22 or 25.”
“The proceeds from the match will be sent to the families of the players, the staff and those involved with Chapecoense who died in the crash.
Chapecoense were named as the Copa Sudamericana champions as Atletico Nacional forfeited. The Colombian club won Copa Libertadores in July 2016.
The decision gives Chapecoense an automatic place in next year’s Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of Europe’s Champions League.
CBF have also announced to donate 5 million reais ($1.46 million) to Chapecoense so that the team can invest to rebuild their squad for next season. The team lost almost all of their players and likes of Ronaldinho and Eidur Gudjohnson have offered to play for the Brazilian club.
