Chapecoense truly are “champions in the sky,” as Neymar so aptly described them.
CONMEBOL, South American soccer’s governing body, awarded Chapecoense the 2016 Copa Sudamericana title on Monday in tribute to the victims of last week’s plane crash, which killed 71 people including 19 of the Brazilian soccer club’s players. CONMEBOL’s measure comes at the behest of Atletico Nacional, the Colombian club Chapecoense was traveling to play in the Copa Sudamericana final when its plane crashed, and the soccer world has met it with widespread acclaim.
CONMEBOL announced the extraordinary decision on its website and on social media.
“On Wednesday November 30, the South American Football Confederation received a letter from Atletico Nacional (Chapecoense’s would-be opponents in the Copa Sudamericana final) addressed to Mr. Alejandro Dominguez, President of CONMEBOL, inviting the CONMEBOL “to give the title of the Copa Sudamericana to Associação Chapecoense de Futebol in honor of its great loss and posthumous tribute to the victims of the fatal accident that our sport mourns.
“Following this, the (CONMEBOL executive) council took the decision to appoint the Associação Chapecoense de Futebol as champion of the Copa Sudamericana 2016 with all sporting and economic privileges it entails.
Chapecoense will receive a replica trophy and the winner’s prize money. As a result, the club has earned qualification to  next season’s Copa Libertadores, South America’s most lucrative and prestigious club soccer competition.
CONMEBOL also honored Atletico Nacional with the “Centennial Fair Play Award,” in recognition of its gesture toward Chapecoense.
“For CONMEBOL, there is no greater sign of the ‘spirit of peace, understanding and fair play’ stated objective of our institution that solidarity, consideration and respect shown by the Atletico Nacional of Colombia for their brothers of Brazil’s Chapecoense Associação de Futebol.
“Because of the request made by Atletico Nacional, who with his attitude has promoted football in South America in a spirit of peace, understanding and fair play, in finding that sporting values always prevail over commercial interests, The Council decided to give Atletico Nacional the one-time “Centenario Conmebol Fair Play” award, consisting of a $1 million prize.
Chapecoense will face Atletico Nacional, the reigning Copa Libertadores champion, in the 2017 Recopa Sudamericana, a two-game series which pits the winner of the Copa Libertadores against the Copa Sudamericana winner.
Chapecoense soon will begin rebuilding its playing staff ahead of next season. Many clubs have offered players to Chapecoense on free loans in additional acts of support.
