NACIONAL face being kicked out of the Copa Libertadores after a group of their fans appeared to mock the plane crash that killed members of Chapecoense’s team two years ago.
South American football’s governing body has opened disciplinary procedures against the Uruguayan club after an incident in the second-round match on Wednesday.
A video broadcast by Brazil’s Globoesporte website shows two Nacional fans laughing and making gestures with their arms to imitate a plane crash.
On Friday Conmebol said the probe was launched due to “offensive behaviour that is an attack on human dignity.”
Nacional apologised to the Brazilian team in a statement and said it would begin its own investigation to ensure those “responsible get the most severe sanctions.”
In a statement in which the club expressed “profound shame”, they added: “Unfortunately lots of sick minds channel their irrationality into sporting events.”
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
With few away fans making lengthy international trips for the early stages of South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, TV cameras often focus on the the small groups of travelling fans – sometimes as few as ten people.
And it is little surprise that the vile taunts were picked up on camera in clip almost a minute long.
The Chapecoense flight crashed in November 2016 in Colombia, killing 71 people, including 19 members of the Chapecoense squad and playing staff.
The modest Brazilian club was traveling to play in its first ever international final.
ITALIAN JOB Italian football chief claims Antonio Conte wants to quit Chelsea and return to national job
Nacional won the match with a 74th-minute goal from Santiago Romero.
The return leg takes place in Uruguayan capital Montevideo on Wednesday February 7.
Leave a comment