International football is in mourning today after news of a plane crash carrying a top Brazilian football team crashed in Medellin, Colombia.
Players and officials of Chapecoense were en route to play in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana, the South American equivalent of the Europa League, against Medellin team Atletico Nacional.
It’s been reported that there were 81 were on board and the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) said it was suspending all activities.
An official club statement on Facebook said:
“God be with our athletes, leaders, journalists and other guests who are along with the delegation.”
It has been confirmed that 27-year-old defender Alan Ruschel is among the survivors.
UPDATE: Police have now confirmed that 76 people were killed, and five survived. One of the dead, survived the crash, but died in hospital.
Goalkeeper Danilo and another player Jackson Follmann have also reportedly survived. Ruschel is being treated for severe injuries.