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Chapecoense Football Association president Plinio David De Nes revealed on Thursday that FC Barcelona was the only European team to provide financial aid following its tragic plane crash in November 2016, Fox Sports reports.
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A plane carrying the Brazilian first division team crashed shortly before it was preparing to land in Medellin, Colombia. Chapecoense was scheduled to play a Copa Sudamericana final first leg against Atletico Nacional in Medellin.
In total, 71 people were killed, including 21 journalists, managerial staff and almost the entire starting team. There were only six survivors — three players, two Bolivian crew members and one Brazilian journalist.
“Only Barcelona were on our side from the very first moment,” De Nes told Fox Sports.
“They offered us funds and in the month of August we have been invited to play the Gamper Trophy, with the proceeds shared with Chapecoense.”
Despite minimal financial assistance from other clubs, De Nes thanked those organizations that offered support “in one way or another.”
Barcelona, along with soccer giants Real Madrid and Manchester United, held moments of silence in solidarity with the victims of the crash.
Five days after tragedy, Chapecoense was awarded the Copa Sudamericana title.
“Conmebol (the governing body of football in South America) is going to declare Chapecoense as champion of the South American Cup,” said former club president Ivan Tozzo, Globo reports.
“In addition, Chapecoense will receive the two million dollar prize.”
Chapecoense was founded in 1973 in the Brazilian city of Chapeco.
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