Atletico National fans fill stadium to pay tribute to Chapecoense plane crash victims

Thousands of supporters filled Atletico National’s stadium in Medellin, Colombia on Wednesday to remember the Chapecoense team on the night the sides were scheduled to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.

Chapecoense’s flight into Medellin went down outside the city on Monday, killing 71 people.

Atletico’s Atanasio Girardot Sports Complex stadium, which holds 45,000, was full with people remembering those who died, while thousands more filled the surrounding streets.

A moving scene tonight in Medellin as Nacional fans packed stadium to honor the fallen players of atletico chapecoense #colombia pic.twitter.com/OiuVizZcvl

— manuel rueda (@ruedareport) December 1, 2016

Candles and prayers were held and the Chapecoense crest was laid in one half of the pitch with the Nacional emblem in the other, while 71 doves were released to remember each victim.

Flowers and wreaths were also brought out, along with the flags of Brazil and Colombia.

Footage emerged on social media of fans chanting ‘vamo, vamo Chape’ in the stadium to honour those who passed away

Brazil’s foreign minister,Jose Serra, gave a speech to thank the people of Colombia for their warmth.

Tributes to Chapecoense were held across the world on Wednesday.

Chaoecoense’s own Arena Conde stadium was opened and its 22,600 capacity was used up as fans gathered in south Brazil to honour the people who died.

More than 100,000 Colombians have gathered in & outside Atanasio Girardot to honor the #Chapecoense plane crash.pic.twitter.com/pI5utLDQnE

— Sivan John (@SivanJohn) December 1, 2016

Medellin stadium tonite: people went there only to sing for v #Chapecoense !
It’s impossible not to love Colombia pic.twitter.com/AM0wTT25ef

— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) December 1, 2016

Source dailymail