体坛英语新闻：Chapecoense withdraw from Benfica friendly

RIO DE JANEIRO, June 14 (Xinhua) -- The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has rejected a request by Chapecoense to participate in a friendly against Benfica next month.

The Portuguese champions had invited the tragedy-hit club from southern Brazil to compete for the annual Eusebio Cup in Lisbon on July 22.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Chapecoense said it was forced to withdraw from the fixture due to Brazilian Serie A commitments.

Chapecoense are due to play Santos away on July 19 before a home clash against Vitoria four days later.

Seventy-one people died, including 19 Chapecoense players and all of the club's coaching staff, when the chartered plane in which they were travelling crashed into a hillside in Colombia last November.

The Brazilian side are still awaiting approval from the CBF to take part in friendlies against Roma and Barcelona.