By Leon Smith

One thing football gets right is unity.

On Monday last week, a plane carrying the Brazilian team Chapecoense FC crashed over Colombia killing 71 of the 77 people on board. The majority of those killed were players, coaches and journalists.

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The crash has left the world shaken and in mourning. Chapecoense, dubbed the ‘Brazilian Leicester City’ for their remarkable rise to the top of Brazilian football, were on their way to play their first Sudamerica Final against Atletico Nacional. The club had been playing in the fourth tier of Brazil in 2009. This final was supposed to be the clubs greatest moment, but has become their darkest day.

In one moment, the crash had wiped out almost the entire team.

The identity of the club gone. So many heroes, loved ones and fathers who won’t ever come home.

In devastating times like these the footballing world comes together. Football gets a lot of criticism for the behaviour of sets of fans, corruption and even what happens on the pitch.

Football gets a lot of things wrong, but one thing football gets right, is unity.

This disaster is relatable to so many. For many, their football club isn’t just a hobby but a way of life. They feel a connection to their club which is so strong. The club defines who they are. When the plane carrying the Chapecoense team came down, the hearts of thousands of fans died too.

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Chapecoense needed the world’s support now more than ever and they got it. Within hours of the news breaking on social media, the hashtag #ForcaChape was trending.

This was a time where the footballing world had to show they were together and they did.

The clubs of South America were the first to show their support. Brazilian clubs pledged to loan players to Chapecoense for free and insisted they should not be relegated for at least three seasons. Rebuilding the club is going to be a tiring, time consuming task but this small gesture will go a long way in helping them do so.

Their opponents in the Sudamericana Final, Atletico Nacional, announced within hours of the crash they had contacted CONMEBOL and asked for Chapecoense to be given the trophy. It was announced yesterday they would be.

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All of football stood together for Chapecoense across this weekend’s fixtures. All teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

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Some clubs wore black armbands with the Chapecoense badge displayed on top. This more prevalent in South America where the crash had the most traumatic effect.

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It was a time for clubs and fans around the world to do all they could to remember and pay tribute to all those lives taken away too early. This wasn’t just about a weekend’s show of unity, but one of lasting impact to get Chapecoense back on their feet. Days after the crash, football legends Ronaldinho, Juan Roman Riquelme and Eidur Gudjohnsen declared they would play for Chapecoense for free, for as long as they were needed. A remarkable gesture from three of football’s greatest players.

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The fairy tale story for Chapecoense was cruelly brought to an end last week. The lives of so many now darker than before. So many children have lost their heroes, so many families have lost a precious son. However, with acts of unity similar to those displayed over the past week, the footballing world can help Chapecoense and hopefully they will still find their happily ever after.

Força Chape!