Chapecoense add two stars to badge in redesign to mark Copa Sudamericana and remember players who died in plane tragedy

  • Chapecoense have added a star to club's badge in memory of players who died 
  • Another star has been added to crest to mark club's Copa Sudamericana title 
  • The club were awarded title after tragedy on the way to playing the final 
  • Seventy one people, including 19 players, were killed in a plane crash last month

Chapecoense have added two stars to the club's badge in memory of their players who died in the recent Colombian air disaster. 

Seventy one people, including 19 Chapecoense players, were killed in a plane crash last month as the Brazilian club made their way to the Copa Sudamericana final - which would have been the biggest match in their history. 

Having been posthumously handed the title by the South American Football Confederation CONMEBOL, the club have now redesigned their crest to mark the award and remember those players who died. 

Chapecoense have added two stars to the club's badge in memory of the 19 players who died

The main star above the badge symbolises the Copa Sudamericana the club were awarded

Rescue workers asses the wreckage of the plan the crashed in Colombia, killing 71 people

A statement on the official Chapecoense website read: 'The first star mentions the conquest of the Copa Sudamericana 2016. She is white in a sign of peace. The peace found by our Eternal Champions. In addition, white symbolises the light that will guide us forward.

'The second star inside the letter F - which refers to football - is the subtle yet powerful way of eternalizing those who dedicated their lives to Chapecoense.

'Due to a fatality, we enter into history. This is indisputable and unchangeable. Undoubtedly, too, while we know we now begin a new era, we will maintain the essence of the club.

'We will continue to write the story that was being drawn with such care. But we will not do so without eternalizing - in memory, heart and shield - the legacy of affection, solidarity and unity. 

'More than that, with the love and commitment that all those who departed had for Chapecoense.'

Gremio and Atletico Mineiro pay tribute to the victims before the Brazilian cup final this week

Meanwhile, Barcelona have invited Chapecoense to face them in their annual pre-season friendly at the Nou Camp and have pledged to 'collaborate on the institutional and sporting reconstruction of the club'.

The annual Joan Gamper Trophy match marks the start of Barca's season with a different team invited each year to play at their 99,354-seater stadium.

A Barcelona statement read: 'FC Barcelona wants to pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident and their families, and will therefore make the 2017 Joan Gamper Trophy a great tribute to the world of football through various activities around this match which will become known as the date of this celebration approaches.

'Along with the invitation to Chapecoense to the 2017 Joan Gamper Trophy, FC Barcelona would like to collaborate on the institutional and sporting reconstruction of the club, and help to recover the competitive level that it had.'

Lionel Messi takes on four Manchester City players in the 2009 Joan Gamper Trophy

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