The J.League on Tuesday approved a donation of $11,000 to Chapecoense, the Brazilian club who experienced the loss of most of their players and staff in last November’s tragic airplane crash.
The donation consists of one million yen ($8,860) provided by the league itself as well as over $2,000 donated by fans at last month’s Fuji Xerox Super Cup in Yokohama.
“Traditionally the Japan Football Association has donated to overseas organizations, but we wanted to make this donation ourselves because of the number of former players and coaches who lost their lives in the accident,” J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai explained.
Amongst the deceased were former Vissel Kobe manager Caio Junior, JEF United Chiba and Cerezo Osaka striker Kempes, Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Cleber Santana, Kawasaki Frontale midfielder Arthur Maia, and Kyoto Sanga defender Thiego.
Murai also announced that he would visit Chapecoense later this month, accompanied by former Japan national team coach Zico.
Chapecoense, who were declared winners of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana at the request of co-finalists Atletico Nacional, will travel to Japan to face Urawa Reds this August in the 2017 Suruga Bank Championship.