Barcelona to play Chapecoense in Joan Gamper Trophy in August

  • 71 people were killed when a plane carrying the Chapecoense squad crashed 
  • 19 players were among those who died; only three players survived the tragedy
  • The football world came together to mourn those who lost their lives
  • Barcelona will host the club at the Nou Camp in a match that will pay tribute

Barcelona will host grief-stricken Brazilian club Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Nou Camp on August 7.

The match will act as a pay tribute to the 71 people who were killed in last year's tragic plane crash.

The Catalan giants invited Chapecoense to play in the annual pre-season fixture after a plane carrying the small team's squad, technical commission and a number of journalists for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional crashed on the journey to Medellin two days before the match was due to take place in November.

Barcelona will host grief-stricken Brazilian club Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy

Barcelona will host grief-stricken Brazilian club Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy

Only three members of the travelling squad survived - Neto, Alan Ruschel and Jackson Follmann – as the club were left heartbroken and struggling to field a team.


Barca announced the news on their website, saying 'we wish help pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident on November 28t, as well as their families. 

'Barca hopes to help Chapecoense rebuild institutionally and recover the competitive level it had before the tragedy'. 

Chapecoense's revival has been remarkable in 2017, thanks to the help of loanees.

The Brazilians won the Santa Catarina state championship in May, after edging Avai in a two-legged play-off to retain the title they claimed in 2016.

Chapecoense also made their Copa Libertadores debut – finishing third in the group stage – and they now face a play-off against Defensa y Justicia in the Sudamericana. 

The team were on their way to play in the Copa Sudamericana final when the plane came down

The team were on their way to play in the Copa Sudamericana final when the plane came down

Alan Ruschel (sitting right) and Jackson Follmann (sitting centre) were among the survivors

Alan Ruschel (sitting right) and Jackson Follmann (sitting centre) were among the survivors