Chapecoense
Associação Chapecoense de Futebol, commonly known as Chapecoense, is a Brazilian football club founded in 1973 and based in Chapecó, Santa Catarina. The club plays its home matches at Arena Condá and currently competes in Brazil's top division, Série A. Throughout its history, Chapecoense has won seven state championships, with their most notable achievement being awarded the 2016 Copa Sudamericana title following the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of most of their squad while traveling to the final.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Associação Chapecoense de Futebol was founded on 10 May 1973 through the merger of Atlético Chapecoense and Independente. The club was established with the goal of restoring football in the city of Chapecó. As a relatively small club from Santa Catarina, Chapecoense has experienced periods of both triumph and tragedy throughout its history, becoming known worldwide following the devastating 2016 plane crash.
Most recent season and achievements
Chapecoense has continued to compete in Brazilian football following their recovery from the 2016 tragedy. The club won their most recent state championship, the Campeonato Catarinense, in 2020. After suffering relegation from Série A in 2019, they were promoted back to the top flight on 12 January 2021 following a 2–1 victory against state rivals Figueirense.
History
Early years
The club was founded as Associação Chapecoense de Futebol on 10 May 1973, after the merger of Atlético Chapecoense and Independente. In 1977, Chapecoense won its first title, the Campeonato Catarinense, beating Avaí 1–0 in the final. The following year, in 1978, the club competed for the first time in the Campeonato Brasileiro, finishing in the 51st position, and in 1979, finished in the 93rd position.
Successful period
In 2002, due to a partnership, Chapecoense was renamed to Associação Chapecoense Kindermann/Mastervet. In 2006, the club went back to its original name and also won the Copa Santa Catarina. In 2007, the club won the state championship for the third time and also competed in the Brazilian Championship Third Level, though they were eliminated in the first stage. They continued their success by winning the Campeonato Catarinense again in 2011 and 2016.
Crisis and recovery
On 28 November 2016, LaMia Flight 2933 carrying 77 people, including staff and players from the club, crashed as it approached Medellín, Colombia. Seventy-one people died, including 21 journalists and almost the entire first team and managerial staff. Only six people survived, including three Chapecoense players: left-back Alan Ruschel, backup goalkeeper Jakson Follmann, and center-back Neto. The crash resulted from fuel starvation, and the government of Bolivia suspended LaMia Airlines's flying license. Following the tragedy, their opponents Atlético Nacional offered to concede the Copa Sudamericana final, and CONMEBOL awarded Chapecoense the tournament title.
Current period
As Copa Sudamericana champions, Chapecoense qualified for the 2017 Copa Libertadores, their first appearance in that tournament. With a squad built from loan players, free signings, promoted youth players, and two crash survivors, they won their first match away against Zulia of Venezuela. On 27 November 2019, almost three years after the plane crash, the club suffered relegation from Série A following a 0–1 loss to Botafogo. However, they were promoted back to Série A on 12 January 2021.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Chapecoense has won the Campeonato Catarinense seven times, with victories in 1977, 2007, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2020. The club has also won the Copa Santa Catarina in 2006 and the Taça Santa Catarina twice, in 1979 and 2014. Additionally, they have claimed several other regional tournaments including the Copa da Paz Internacional in 2005, Torneio da Cidade de São Gabriel in 2005, and the Troféu João Saldanha in 2017.
Continental and global competitions
The club's most significant achievement came in 2016 when they were awarded the Copa Sudamericana title following the tragic plane crash while traveling to the final against Atlético Nacional. CONMEBOL awarded Chapecoense the trophy on 5 December 2016, and Atlético Nacional received both the Centennial Fair Play Award and FIFA Fair Play Award for their gesture of requesting that Chapecoense be awarded the championship.
Symbols and Colors
Sponsors
As of 2016, the sponsors include English company Umbro as the kit supplier, Caixa Econômica Federal (a state-owned Brazilian bank), Unimed (a Brazilian health insurance company), and Aurora Alimentos (a food processing company from Chapecó).
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Chapecoense's main sponsors as of 2016 include Umbro as their kit supplier, along with Caixa Econômica Federal, Unimed, and Aurora Alimentos. These partnerships have provided crucial support for the club's operations and recovery following the 2016 tragedy.
Stadium
The club's home matches are played at Arena Condá, located in Chapecó, Santa Catarina. This stadium serves as the venue for Chapecoense's home fixtures and has been witness to many of the club's historic moments, including their state championship victories.