Brazil pays respects to Chapecoense in moving memorial
Brazilian President, Michel Temer (L), and Brazilian soccer team coach Tite (R) stand next to the coffins of Chapecoense soccer team members and other Brazilians, who died in a plane crash in Colombia, during a funeral ceremony at the Arena Conda stadium, in Chapeco, Brazil, Dec 3, 2016.[Photo/IC] |
Among those to withstand heavy rain to attend Saturday's ceremony were Brazilian president Michel Temer, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Brazil's national team coach Tite.
Chapeco mayor Luciano Buligon struggled to hold back tears as he thanked the Colombian people for their support and solidarity in the wake of the tragedy. On Wednesday tens of thousands of Atletico Nacional fans turned up for a moving candlelight vigil at the team's Atanasio Girardot stadium in Medellin.
"Foremost, I have to say that Colombia's actions have brought us together in a way that will never be forgotten," Buligon said. "It was only due to the competence of the Colombian people that we have six survivors. Thank you very much Colombia. You will always be in our hearts. This team no longer belongs to Chapeco, it belongs to the world."