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Soccer players, teams pay tribute to victims of Chapecoense plane crash

The soccer world reacts to the crash of a charter plane carrying the Chapecoense soccer team.

SI Wire

Soccer players, teams pay tribute to victims of Chapecoense plane crash
Soccer players, teams pay tribute to victims of Chapecoense plane crash /

Notable sports figures have taken to social media to share their condolences and prayers for those affected by the crash of the charter plane that was carrying the Chapecoense soccer team as it traveled to the finals of a regional tournament.

Colombian officials say that the crash near the city of Medellin in Colombia killed 71 of the 77 people on board the plane. Among the survivors were Chapecoense defender Alan Ruschel, goalkeeper Jackson Follmann, a member of the team's delegation and a Bolivian flight attendant. Goalkeeper Danilo was alive when he was rescued from the wreckage, but later died at the hospital, according to the Associated Press.

The squad was expected to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday.

Here's a selection of the tributes pouring in from all corners of the soccer world:

Chapecoense also posted a statement to its Facebook page, saying "may God accompany our athletes, officials, journalists and other guests traveling with our delegation."

Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash, though initial reports cite electrical failure or lack of fuel as possible causes.

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