CONMEBOL, South American soccer’s governing body, awarded Chapecoense the 2016 Copa Sudamericana title 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 Nov. 30, the South American Football Confederation received a letter from Atletico Nacional addressed to Mr. Alejandro Dominguez, President of CONMEBOL, inviting the CONMEBOL “to give the title of the Copa Sudamericana to Associacao 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 Associacao 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.

    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.(SD-Agencies)