Chapecoense named the Copa Sudamericana champions after plane crash

South American football's governing body CONMEBOL has officially named Brazilian club Chapecoense as the winners of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana on Monday upon the request of Colombian club side Atletico Nacional.

The South American governing body in a statement, said it awarded the title - which is the continent's secondary international club tournament - "as a posthumous homage to the victims of the fatal crash that leaves our sport in mourning."
 The aircraft, en-route from Bolivia, was carrying 72 passengers and nine crew members, including Chapecoense team who were expected to play in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final against Atletico Nacional on Wednesday in Medellin, crashed killing 71 people on board, including 19 players.

"CONMEBOL's Council has decided to declare Chapecoense as the champions of the 2016 edition of the Copa Sudamericana, as well as grant Atletico Nacional the extraordinary recognition of the 'CONMEBOL Centenary Fair Play' prize," a statement released by the organisation read.

CONMEBOL also confirmed that Chapecoense are to receive "all the sporting and economic prerogatives that this entails."

Atletico Nacional were rewarded for their gesture with a fair play prize consisting of $1 million.

"For CONMEBOL there is no greater example of the 'spirit of peace, understanding and fair play' set forth as an objective of our institution than the solidarity, consideration and respect shown by Atletico National towards its brothers from Chapecoense," a CONMEBOL statement said.

Source: ESPN.