(BDCi) — Brazil will play Bolivia in a friendly with all proceeds from the match to be donated to the family of a 14-year-old fan who was killed by a firework during a recent Copa Libertadores game.
The match will take place on April 5 in the Bolivian city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
The Brazilian team will pay their own costs and hand their share of the gate money to Kelvin Beltran’s family, Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) president Jose Maria Marin said.
“They will go, play and come back on the same day.,” Marin said. “It’s a sacrifice, but they will do it to show sporting solidarity, not just on behalf of CBF but from Brazilian people.”
Bolivian police arrested 12 fans of Sao-Paulo based club Corinthians and charged them with homicide after a firework set off in the away end hit San Jose fan Beltran and killed him instantly on Feb 20.
A 17-year-old Brazilian later later took turned himself into authorities and took responsibility. All 13 are still in custody.
April 5 is not an official FIFA date so Brazil is unlikely to feature European-based players.
Source: ahramonline.com
Photo: lancenet.com.br