Chapecoense could not play in the 2016 Copa Sudamerica final because on the way there nearly the entire team perished in a horrible plane crash.
On the day the final would have taken place, 45,000 people went to Atletico Nacional's stadium in Medellin, Colombia to pay tribute to Chapecoense.
Eu não tenho palavras para descrever esse momento, juro. pic.twitter.com/HnopwjgmFq
— Luã Rebollo ⓟ (@rebollosep) November 30, 2016
Following the crash, Atletico Nacional requested Chapecoense be given the 2016 Copa Sudamerica trophy, and CONMEBOL has announced that will be the case. Chapecoence have won the 2016 Copa Sudamerica.
There is no way to get back the 71 lives that were lost. Giving them as good a remembrance as possible is all that can be done now. As Copa Sudamerica champions, they will always be remembered.