Football unites in tragic times

The sporting community in the UAE and across the globe stand with Chapecoense

A photo taken on November 23, 2016 shows Brazil's Chapecoense goalkeeper Danilo celebrating after defeating Argentina's San Lorenzo. Nelson Almeida / AFP

The accident that this week claimed the lives of almost all members of the Chapecoense football club, along with officials, journalists and aircraft crew on the way to a game in Colombia, was a tragedy for Brazilian football and for the world game in general. The crash of the chartered British Aerospace 146 short-haul aircraft near Medellin, killing 75 people, reverberated around the planet.

One of the victims, Chapecoense’s manager Caio Junior, was well known and respected in the UAE, where he had coached both Al Jazira and Al Shabab. Al Jazira responded to the tragedy with a minute’s silence before its game against Dibba, and the display of his image at the ground along with a message of condolence. Fans and footballers – including past and present greats such as Pele, Maradona, Neymar, Messi and Rooney – took to social media with heartfelt messages of grief and support.

Sport is no stranger to tragedy. For many, this incident will remind them of the plane crashes that struck at the heart of Torino FC in 1949, Manchester United in 1959, the United States figure skating team in 1961, the Uruguayan Old Christians rugby club in 1972, the Zambian national football team in 1993 and the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team in 2011.

Chapecoense’s players have been struck down at the peak of their powers. The crash occurred while they were travelling to compete in the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s second biggest football championship. Their opponents, Colombian team Atletico Naciona, say they will concede the game so Chapecoense’s name can be engraved on the trophy. Other clubs in the Brazilian league have offered to lend players for free so they can field a team.

These important gestures and the many words of comfort cannot erase the pain felt over the deaths. But for the families of the deceased players and other passengers, they are a palpable reminder that football is a global community. Like all strong communities, its members reach out to each other in times of need and distress. Rivalries disappear in an instant as the beautiful game looks after its own.