(Photo: QSL)
Doha: The Qatar Stars League has offered its condolences to Brazilian side Chapecoense who tragically lost many players and members of their coaching staff in an airplane crash in Columbia that took the lives of 77 people on board.
A first division football club in Brazil, the Chapecoense team was travelling to Colombia to take on Atletico Nacional in a two-legged regional final.
Two members of the Chapecoense team had close links with Qatar. Head coach Caio Junior had a stint as in charge of Al Gharafa and striker Bruno Rangel had played for Al Arabi.
Saad Al Shammari deputy head of football at Gharafa was a player under Caio Junior when the Brazilian took charge of the Cheetahs, leading them to the QSL title during the 2009-2010 season in what was his first of three stints in the Gulf.
“It’s a sad moment for the players at Al Gharafa club, Caio Junior was a fantastic coach for the club and more importantly a good man. He was always such a positive person in the club, and without his guidance we would have not won the league title that season. Everyone at Al Gharafa club offers their thoughts and prayers to everyone connected with Chapecoense at this time.”
Al Arabi took to their official website on Tuesday evening to offer condolences on the passing of former player Bruno Rangel who represented The Dream Team during the 2013/2014 season.
“From everyone at the Qatar Stars League we offer our heartfelt condolences to everyone connected with Chapecoense during this difficult time,” a QSL statement said.
