Interim president of Chapecoense, Ivan Tozzo, has revealed that CONMEBOL will name the club as 2016 Copa Sudamericana champions.
The title will be posthumously bestowed on the Brazilian club, after a plane carrying 19 of its players crashed in Colombia, en route to the Copa final last Monday.
Speaking after a memorial in Chapeco on Saturday, Tozzo said that the title and the winners’ prize money would be given to them.
“CONMEBOL have testified that they will crown Chapecoense as champions of the Copa Sudamericana,” Tozzo told Globo.
“We are receiving support from all federations. The CBF, CONMEBOL, FIFA, and especially the people of Chapeco.
“Right now we are beginning to rebuild the team. People want football, people love football in Chapeco.
“Therefore, we must continue this. Let’s talk and do well, let the dust settle and rebuild the team for next year”, he added.
Atletico Nacional, who were to play Chapecoense in the two-legged final, had earlier asked for the title to be given to the grieving club.
“Atletico Nacional have invited CONMEBOL to deliver the Copa Sudamericana title to the Chapecoense Football Association as an honour for their great loss and in posthumous homage to the victims of the tragic accident that has our sport in mourning,” a statement said.
“For us, and forever, Chapecoense shall be the Copa Sudamericana champions for 2016.”
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