Off the wire
• Belgian extremist recruiter sentenced to 10 years in prison  • About 21.5 pct at risk of poverty in Macedonia in 2015: statistics  • 1st Ld Writethru: Survey shows French voters favor Macron over Fillon for president  • Three prosecuted for burying hazardous waste in east China  • China to establish comprehensive food safety standard system: report  • Tibet sets standards for Thangka paintings  • 6 killed, 8 injured in armed attack in Sudan's Darfur: report  • British FTSE 100 rises 0.06 pct on Friday  • Italian gov't comes to rescue ailing bank  • Lawmakers call for heavier punishment for water pollution  
You are here: 　 Home

Chapecoense air crash survivor eyes return to pitch

Xinhua, December 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chapecoense air disaster survivor Alan Ruschel said on Friday that he hopes to return to the pitch in time for next year's Copa Libertadores.

Ruschel was one of only six survivors of the November 28 crash near the Colombian city of Medellín, which claimed the lives of 71 people, including most of Chapecoense's players and staff.

"I want to play again in six months," the 27-year-old told the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper. "I am taking things a day at a time. I want to come back in time to play in the Copa Libertadores."

The tragedy occurred less than two days before the small Brazilian club were due to play Colombia's Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the two-match Copa Sudamericana final.

Chapecoense were subsequently named winners of the tournament at the request of Atletico Nacional, giving them automatic qualification for the Copa Libertadores.

The group stage of South America's top club competition begins on March 7 and ends on May 25. The knockout phase starts in July.

Ruschel, who underwent spinal surgery after the crash, was released from hospital last week. Endit