Following the news of the plane crash suffered by the Brazilian team Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, on their journey to Medellin for the final round of the Copa Sudamericana, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed his shock and deep sadness at the tragedy.
"This is a very, very sad day for football," Infantino said. "We are so sorry to hear about the airplane crash in Colombia, it is shocking and tragic news. At this difficult time our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends. FIFA would like to extend its most heartfelt condolences to the fans of Chapecoense, the football community and media organisations concerned in Brazil."
The aircraft, which had 72 passengers and nine crew members on board, including the Brazilian team's delegation and members of the media, was travelling from Brazil. Following a stopover in Bolivia, the aircraft crashed on 28 November in the Colombian region of Antioquia, Cerro Gordo, with the causes currently unknown.