Chidi Samuel with agency reports
A passenger plane carrying 81 people, including a top Brazilian football team, has crashed on its approach to the city of Medellin in Colombia. The chartered plane carrying players and officials of the Chapecoense football team due to play in the final of the Copa Sudamericana against the Medellin team from Colombia, Atletico Nacional. The plane went down after reporting electrical problems.
Early reports suggests reports suggests there are six survivors including two members of the team – Alan Ruschel and Danilo .
The first leg of the final of the cup, South America’s second most important club competition, was scheduled for Wednesday, but has now been suspended.
The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) said it was suspending “all activities”.
The team, from the southern city of Chapeco, was promoted to Brazil’s first division in 2014 and reached the final last week after a victory against Argentina’s San Lorenzo.
Chapecoense football team
- Founded in 1973.
- Promoted to the Brazilian top division, Serie A, for the first time in the club’s history in 2014. Currently ninth.
- Were flying to play in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana – winner qualifies for Copa Libertadores, top continental competition in South America.
- Were underdogs – facing current Cope Libertadores holders Atletico Nacional
- Based in the Brazilian city of Chapeco in the state of Santa Catarina.
- Brazil’s 21st biggest club in terms of revenue at 46m reais ($13.5m/£10.9m)