- Title: Fans arrive for Chapecoense Brazil-Colombia charity match
- Date: 25th January 2017
- Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (JANUARY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIOR OF THE OLYMPIC STADIUM WITH A RAINBOW IN THE BACKGROUND VARIOUS OF COLOMBIAN FANS TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS AND SINGING STOMACH OF A PREGNANT WOMAN PAINTED WITH BRAZILIAN AND COLOMBIAN FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) COLOMBIAN FAN, MARIANA, SAYING: "For us it is an honour to pay homage to Chapecoense in this way, because the accident took place in our country, in Colombia. I am very happy to be here, this is the best that could happen, it is a very big tribute, we are happy." (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN FAN, MARCOS PAULO MARTINS, SAYING: "I hope for what the Colombians have done, to have a party, to cheer with no fighting, and for Brazil to win, of course. And Chape... today I am Chape." BRAZILIAN FAN, JOAO PEDRO SEQUER, SHOWING CHAPECOENSE FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN FAN, JOAO PEDRO SEQUER, SAYING: "I am very happy to be participating here in this reconstruction and this story of overcoming (tragedy). I was really down when this happened and I learnt to love Chapecoense, I think it is my number two team." COLOMBIAN AND BRAZILIAN FANS SINGING (IN SPANISH AND PORTUGUESE): "LET'S GO, LET'S GO, CHAPE!" VARIOUS OF FANS WAITING IN QUEUE TO ENTER STADIUM
- Embargoed: 8th February 2017 22:44
- Keywords: Brazil soccer Chapecoense Chapeco Rio de Janeiro Colombia Atletico
- Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
- Country: Brazil
- Topics: Air Accidents,Disaster/Accidents
- Reuters ID: LVA00160KY3WJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Fans poured into Rio's Olympic stadium on Wednesday (January 25) full of anticipation ahead of an international charity match played between Colombia and Brazil in honour of the victims of a plane crash in November, which virtually wiped out the southern Brazilian Chapecoense squad.
Brazil Coach Tite agreed not to call up European-based players for the match whose proceeds will go to the families of those who perished in the air crash.
Former Real Madrid striker Robinho, who turns 33 on the day of the match, was recalled by Brazil for the first time in more than a year. The Atletico Mineiro player will play alongside his former Santos colleague Diego, who is now with Flamengo, and Palmeiras' striker Dudu.
Colombian fan, Mariana, said she was honoured to take part in the event.
"For us it is an honour to pay homage to Chapecoense in this way, because the accident took place in our country, in Colombia. I am very happy to be here, this is the best that could happen, it is a very big tribute, we are happy," said Mariana.
Brazilian fans shared the sentiment, allowing some space for Chapecoense along their devotion to the national side.
"I hope for what the Colombians have done, to have a party, to cheer with no fighting, and for Brazil to win, of course. And Chape... today I am Chape," said fan, Marcos Paulo Martins.
"I am very happy to be participating here in this reconstruction and this story of overcoming (tragedy). I was really down when this happened and I learnt to love Chapecoense, I think it is my number two team," added fan, Joao Pedro Sequer.
The match follows just a few days after Chapecoense made its emotional return to the pitch in a friendly against Palmeiras, and a match full of symbolism for a club looking to bounce back from one of football's great tragedies.
Only six people survived the crash, which came as the Chapecoense squad approached Medellin to play Atletico Nacional in November's Copa Sudamericana final.
The plane ran out of fuel and hit a mountainside, killing 71 people on board, many of them players, officials and reporters on their way to the game.
Rio's charity match serves as a warm up for Brazil's next World Cup qualifiers, away to Uruguay on March 23 and at home against Paraguay five days later. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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