We are all Chapecoense fans
Sport is far more than just a form of entertainment. It brings people together by giving them full range of emotions. It enables people to unwind, but it often conveys important messages and many times helps fighting with social injustices like, for example, racism. However, perhaps, the main goal of sport is to stay united while facing tragedy and support each other.
Two years ago, the Brazilian soccer club Chapecoense suffered a great tragedy, where 71 people associated with the team, including players and coaches, died in a plane crash. Chapecoense is a small soccer team, which did not achieve many success on the international level, however, it was about to change. The club reached the finals of the Copa Sudamericana and players were on their way to play the last game of this competition. The team never got a chance to do it, because its flight crashed into the mountains about 10 miles from the airport in Colombia. Caio Junior, after qualifying for the final, said “If I died today, I’d die happy,” which unfortunately came true.
This tragedy united players and teams all over the world, who decided to pay their respect to everyone who died during the plane crash, before their games, holding each other and standing in silence for a minute. The plane crashed reminded everyone that winning games, scoring goals and passing the ball, is not the most important element of everyday lives. Soccer players across the world decided to honor the club by, for example, dedicating their goals for the people, who died. Edinson Cavani, the PSG’s player after scoring his goal, day after the accident, took off his shirt revealing the Chapecoense logo. Additionally, the Eiffel Tower, the Wembley Stadium in London and The Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro became white and green, which are the colors of the Chapecoense.
Teams in France and Argentina decided to add the Chapecoense logo to their jerseys, which was also done by the EA, the makers of FIFA 17. The players around the globe started wearing black emblements in order to pay the tribute and respect to all people involved in the plan crash. The slogan “We are all Chapecoense fans” became famous and a symbol of unity while facing a tragedy. Additionally, there were players like Ronaldinho, who were willing to come back to soccer and play for the Chapecoense; however, due to the financial difficulties the authorities declined their offers. The club also got a permission from the Brazil Football Confederation (CBF) to remain in the first division, despite their place in the general classification. However, this offer was also declined, because as president Tozzo said; “We want to play in all of our leagues under the same rules and terms as all the other clubs. We want, and are going to, compete just as everyone else does.”
The purpose of sport is to provide the entertainment and emotions. However, sometimes sport may be used to help others. It may be a tool to show support, respect and unite different people across the globe while facing a tragedy. This is a beauty of sport. It enables everyone to forget about the rivalry and stay together in the difficult situations.
