2016By Ken Fang on

Last night, a plane carrying members of the popular Chapecoense soccer team from Brazil crashed near Medellin, Colombia leaving 75 dead and six survivors. Also on board the flight were six members of the Fox Sports Brazil team who were accompanying Chapecoense as it was en route to playing Atlético Nacional in the Copa Sudamerica finals.

As reports surfaced about the crash, there were rumors about the Fox Sports Brazil staffers which were later confirmed.

Rob Stone of Fox Sports mourned the loss of his colleagues:

The latest

Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch and his sons, Lachlan and James issued a statement on the loss of their Brazilian staffers:

21st Century Fox Executive Co-Chairman Rupert Murdoch, Executive Co-Chairman Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch released the following statement on Tuesday morning.

We were deeply saddened to learn about the fatal plane crash last night near Medellín, Colombia, which carried members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense as well as six of our valued FOX Sports Brazil colleagues. The chartered flight was due to arrive in Medellín in the first leg of the South American Cup finals.

On the flight were the following colleagues:

Deva Pascovicci
Mario Sergio
Paulo Julio Clement
Victorino Chermont
Rodrigo Santana
Lilacio Junior

The families, friends and colleagues of those affected are deep in our thoughts at this difficult time.

We are doing everything we can to help manage the situation and take care of all of our people and the families impacted by this tragedy. In support of these efforts, we are setting up a fund in honor of our colleagues. More details to come.

We are sorry to bring you this sad news today. We will all keep our colleagues in our thoughts and prayers.

Rupert, Lachlan and James

Carlos Martinez, President of Fox Sports Group Latin America also issued this statement in Spanish expressing his sorrow and loss:

And rival SporTV express its sadness over Fox Sports Brazil’s loss:

The tweet says, “To all friends of Fox Sports, our warmest hugs and sympathies. We are together.”

It’s certainly a sad day for the Fox family and our hearts go out to the families of those lost in the plane crash on Monday.

[Fox Sports]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

View all posts by Ken Fang

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