Brazil have invited Colombia to play a benefit match in next month to raise funds for the victims of the Chapecoense air crash which killed most of the club’s players, staff and directors.

In addition to this the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will donate about $1.5million to the club, following the tragedy which saw 71 passengers killed last week. The side were on their way to play the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Colombian side Atletico Nacional in what would have been the biggest match in their history.

A tentative date of January 22 has been mooted for the friendly between the two national sides, a week before the start of the Brazilian season.

Brazil’s midfielder Oscar celebrates after scoring a goal during a Group A football match between Brazil and Croatia at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 12, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN

A CBF spokesman told Reuters thus: “The idea is that the game will be against Colombia, for all that represents,” the spokesman said, “but we don’t know if they will be able to come because of the dates.

“But a friendly will take place, against someone else if not Colombia, probably on either January 22 or 25.

“The proceeds from the match will be sent to the families of the players, the staff and those involved with Chapecoense who died in the crash.”

This comes after South Americas governing body CONMEBOL announced that Chapecoense have been officially awarded the Copa Sudamericana title, after a request from Atletico Nacional.

A total of 19 Chapecoense players were killed in the crash, which happened just outside Medellin, Colombia and sent the world of football into mourning.

Brazilian clubs have promised to come together and help Chapecoense rebuild by making them exempt from relegation for three seasons and offering to loan them players free of charge.