CONMEBOL: Chapecoense (BRA), decimated by a plane crash, declared winner of the Copa Sudamericana

The Brazilian club Chapecoense (Chevrolet Brasileirão Série A) has been designated the winner of the 2016 Copa Sudamericana, by decision of the CONMEBOL Executive Committee, on 05/12/2016.

22 professional players and 28 members of the technical staff of Chapecoense accompanying club were among the 71 people who died in the crash of LaMia Airlines flight 2933, flying between Santa Cruz de la Sierra (Bolivia) and Medellin (Colombia ), on 29/11/2016. Chapecoense were flying to Medellín to face the Colombian club Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana, the second most important club competition of CONMEBOL.

Following this tragedy, Atletico Nacional asked the South American confederation that the Copa Sudamericana trophy be given to the Chapecoense club as an honorary, posthumous tribute to the victims. "For the CONMEBOL, there is no greater proof of peace, understanding, and fair play, which are the stated goals of our institution, as the solidarity, consideration, and respect shown by Atletico Nacional to their Chapecoense brothers," stated the south…