Four footballers, club president, pilot die in plane crash
Four footballers and the president of the Brazilian fourth-tier men’s club Palmas Futebol e Regatas have died in a plane crash.
The pilot also died in the accident shortly after take-off on Sunday in the central Brazilian state of Toncantin, the club announced.
The players and club president Lucas Meira were on their way to the city of Goiania, where Palmas were due to play a match in a regional cup competition on Monday.
The match was postponed indefinitely, according to the Brazilian football association.
Victims were remembered with a minute’s silence in every match in Brazil on Sunday.
FIFA promptly issued a condolence message: FIFA offers its condolences after a plane crash tragically claimed six lives in Brazil – including five members of Palmas Futebol e Regatas.
“Football extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families at this difficult time”.