Chapecoense opponents ask for title to be awarded to tragic club

Copa Sudamericana finalists Atletico Nacional have requested that organisers CONMEBOL award the title to Chapecoense.

A chartered plane carrying the Chapecoense team and entourage crashed in Colombia last night while on its way to the finals of the regional tournament, killing 76 people.

The teams were scheduled to play on Wednesday in the first leg of a two-game final.

Vinieron por un sueño, parten como leyendas. #Chapecoense pic.twitter.com/SBRgcCUxbV

— Atlético Nacional Mi Pasión (@atlnacionalcol) November 29, 2016

Atletico Nacional paid tribute to their opponents on Twitter, with a message that translated as: “They came for a dream, they depart as legends”.

It is understood they have asked the organisers to award the title to Chapecoense as a mark of respect.

Atlético Nacional are said to have asked CONMEBOL to award the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense.

Outstanding gesture. pic.twitter.com/hyLKzRaMtB

— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) November 29, 2016

Copa Sudamericana finalists Atlético Nacional have requested that CONMEBOL award the title to Chapecoense.

Incredible gesture. pic.twitter.com/GGgnQVYC2n

— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) November 29, 2016

The 76 dead are thought to include members of the squad, club officials and journalists who were covering the final.

Poignant footage being circulated on social media shows the squad celebrating a win in the tournament five days ago.

The Chapecoense players celebrated reaching the Copa final just five days ago. Heartbreaking.#ForçaChapecoense https://t.co/n24jwCnrw4

— BBC Match of the Day mag (@MOTDmag) November 29, 2016

The world of football in united in sorrow at the loss of so many lives and in sympathy for the grief of those left behind.

Imagine it was your team, in your sport. Your friends, all presumed dead bar three who didn't travel. Heartbreaking image from Chapecoense. pic.twitter.com/CxxxPDrG5w

— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) November 29, 2016

The thoughts of everyone at Manchester United are with @ChapecoenseReal & all those affected by the tragedy in Colombia.#ForçaChapecoense pic.twitter.com/EUjAnJQkaB

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 29, 2016

Sobran las palabras. Todos somos Chapecó. Nuestras condolencias y fuerzas a las familias y amigos de @ChapecoenseReal #ForçaChape pic.twitter.com/Wc4WOc3KTx

— OrgulloRojo.com (@OrgulloRojoWeb) November 29, 2016

Three days of mourning have been declared in Brazil. A spokesman for the club says the goalkeeper Danilo - who was rescued alive - has died in hospital.