MX23RW : Monday, December 30 20:25:02| >> :60:2949:2949:

Flamengo to dedicate Club World Cup final to academy players killed in fire

Flamengo to dedicate Club World Cup final to academy players killed in fire
© Reuters
Ten of the Brazilian club's young stars were killed in a fire at the Sao Paulo outfit's training ground in February.

Flamengo midfielder Everton Ribeiro insists the players will dedicate the Club World Cup to the academy players who were killed in a fire earlier this year if they beat Liverpool in Doha.

Ten young footballers died in a blaze at the Sao Paulo club's training ground in February, with president Rodolfo Landim saying it was "without a doubt the worst tragedy" in its 123-year history.

Everton said the plan was to remember those teenagers if they won the title.

"It was a huge tragedy, the death of the young players at the training ground," he said.

"Our message to the families of the players is that may God be with them and we will always support the families of those players.

"We will dedicate this title to the players and their spirits. We will do our best to win the title. We will never forget those young players.

"It is a sad story in the history of Flamengo and it is a source of inspiration and motivation to exert all our efforts.

"We hope the families will have strength again and maybe winning the title will bring comfort to those of the deceased."

Flamengo's former Benfica and Sporting coach Jorge Jesus is confident his side can bridge the financial gulf between the two clubs on Saturday in the Khalifa International Stadium.

The Sao Paulo club have already won the state championship, the Brazilian league and the Copa Libertadores but operate with a fraction of the finances of their Premier League rivals.

"We cannot compare between two good teams easily. Yes, Liverpool has a distinct history in recent years: they have won many titles and they are one of the best clubs in the world," Jesus said.

"Jurgen Klopp has been with the team for many years and accomplished a lot with them, not only in the English League but Champions League. Liverpool have left their mark on world football.

"We know Flamengo are enjoying an excellent season, so there are similarities. We can say Liverpool and Flamengo may be at the best levels in their history.

"But we know the top clubs in Europe have the budgets to recruit the top players in Latin America and Europe.

"We don't have the financial capabilities compared to European clubs so I am happy with the level we have reached despite the financial differences."

ID:383549: cacheID:383549:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3731:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp before the match on December 7, 2019
Read Next:
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp keen to change European perception of Club World Cup
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea18105338211735
5Manchester CityMan City199463226631
6Bournemouth198652923630
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle188553021929
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa188462629-328
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton186842726126
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd186482124-322
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
19Ipswich TownIpswich1826101633-1712
20Southampton1913151239-276


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!