The first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final was set for Wednesday, but tragedy struck on Monday as the plane carrying finalist Chapecoense of Brazil crashed in Colombia, killing over 70 people on board including all but three players.

The final was set to be against Atletico Nacional, champion of the 2016 Copa Libertadores.

The Colombian club released a statement on Tuesday wishing that the Brazilian club be named champions of the Copa Sudamericana in a lovely gesture.

"After being very concerned with the humanity part, we thought of the competitive aspect and we want to publish this release where Atletico Nacional invites CONMEBOL to award the Copa Sudamericana title to Chapecoense in honor of the team's huge loss and in homage to victims of the fatal accident that our sport mourns," the statement read.

Gilberto Garcia, a member of Atletico, spoke to the media on Tuesday morning and said it is what the world of soccer and the club wants.

"We want them to be declared champion," Garcia said.

"It's our initiative and the world of soccer. We hope CONMEBOL makes the determination and give all of the support to their families."

What a great gesture of good will and solidarity from the Colombian club. This club from Brazil, similar to Leicester City, was in the fourth division not too long ago and has climb the ranks, on the brink of potentially winning a title. Now, it looks like the club could be set to secure its first trophy after this horrific crash thanks, in part, to the kindness of Atletico Nacional.

This team deserved more, it deserved to continue on as a proud club with valuable lives and much left to give the sport and the world. But under the circumstances, Atletico Nacional has done what it can to alleviate the pain in the slightest and lay down the foundation on the long road to recovery for the Brazilian club.

Well done, Atletico Nacional. And our thoughts are with all those impacted by this terrible news.

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