New Chapecoense president reveals Barcelona were the only club to help them after air disaster
71 people died after a plane carrying the Brazilian club to Medellin crashed last November
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four months ago the world wept for Chapecoense, the tiny Brazilian club devastated by a plane crash in Colombia.
71 of the 77 people aboard the flight perished, and there was in an instant and sincere outpouring of grief from every corner of the sporting planet.
But the club's new president, Plinio David de Nes, has revealed that only one other team has actually contributed financially to their rebuilding, which this week saw them re-enter continental competition for the first time as they played in the Copa Libertadores.
"Only Barcelona have been with us," he said, "from the very first moments.
"They made money available to us and then in August they invited us to play the Gamper Trophy with the money divided between us."
Barcelona have taken their fair share of criticism in recent years and months for abandoning so many of the principles that made them més que un club.
But where genuine human tragedy was concerned, they were the only club to come up with substantial aid for a team that needed it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments