According to the initial reports, the chartered plane carrying the members of the Brazilian football team, Chapecoense, crashed near Medellin, Colombia. There were 81 members on board including the crew members. Even though the details of the plane crash are yet to be known, it has been reported that many were killed by this tragedy.

Upon receiving the sad news, the President of Japan Football Association (JFA), TASHIMA Kohzo, expresses his deep condolences as below.

TASHIMA Kohzo, President of the Japan Football Association

Heavy causalities have been reported from the plane crash and there are no words to describe the loss we are feeling today. We send our deepest condolences to the members and staff of Chapecoense Football Club and extend our thoughts and prayers to the families and friends who have faced this tragedy.

We sincerely hope that many lives will be saved by the ongoing relief efforts. The news report said the plane crash occurred on its way to the Final of Copa Sudamericana. As widely known, the winner of Copa Sudamericana is planned to play against the Champion of J.LEAGUE YBC Levain CUP in the SURUGA Bank Championship, which will be held in Japan next summer. We truly regret that one of the potential club teams for this championship, which is known as one of our strong tie with football of South America, had encountered such a disastrous accident. We offer again our deepest condolences to all of those who lost their lives and bereaved family by this tragedy.