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WATCH: Manchester United and West Ham pay tribute to Brazilian side Chapecoense

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Wednesday’s EFL clash between Manchester United and West Ham was preceded by a minute’s silence to pay tribute to those killed in a plane crash in Colombia

A minute's silence was held at Old Trafford ahead of Manchester United's EFL Cup match with West Ham on Wednesday to remember the victims of the plane crash involving Brazilian club Chapecoense.

Colombian aviation authorities say 71 people were killed in the crash when the charter aircraft, carrying 77 people, came down in a mountainous area outside Medellin.

Club officials and players from Brazil Serie A side Chapecoense were on the plane travelling to Colombia to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final.

Both teams observe a minute's silence ahead of the EFL Cup match between Manchester United and West Ham
Image: Both teams observe a minute's silence ahead of the EFL Cup match between Manchester United and West Ham

It was a poignant tribute at Old Trafford as Manchester United -  who lost eight players in February 1958 when their plane crashed on take-off from Munich airport - and West Ham players joined supporters in the ground to pay their respects.

There were similar tributes held before both the EFL Cup matches on Tuesday night between Liverpool and Leeds as well as Newcastle and Hull and Wednesday's tie between Arsenal and Southampton.

Arsenal and Southampton also paid tribute ahead of their game
Image: Arsenal and Southampton also paid tribute ahead of their game

Pele and Neymar had previously led tributes to the victims of the crash, with the Barcelona forward, and current Brazil captain, saying the news was "impossible to believe".

The Scottish Professional Football League has also requested that all clubs hold a minute's silence or minute's applause prior to their fixtures this weekend. Clubs also have the option to wear black armbands should they wish to.

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Rangers and Hearts also held a minute's silence before their match
Image: Rangers and Hearts also held a minute's silence before their match

Rangers and Hearts players held a minute's silence ahead of their match at Tynecastle on Wednesday night.

Click on the video at the top of the page to see the pre-match tribute at Old Trafford.

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