Chapecoense will return to play on January 29, 2017

The Brazilian team were awarded the title after the air disaster that killed 19 members of the team in Colombia. They will return to action on January 29, 2017.

Chapecoense's championship was decided by the South American Football Confederation (COMEBOL) in early December. Previously, Chapecoense's opponent in the final, Atletico Nacional (Colombia), had made this request.

Chapecoense President Plinio David de Nes Filho receives the 2016 Copa Sudamericana title from South American Football Confederation President Alejandro Dominguez. Photo: Reuters.

Chapecoense's new president, Plinio David de Nes Filho, lifted the trophy during the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana group stage draw. He and Atletico Nacional representative Daniel Jimenez held the trophy in an emotional moment.

De Nes Filho thanked the football world for its support following the tragic plane crash that killed 71 people in Medellin, Colombia, just two days before the final. Among the dead were 19 first-team players from Chapecoense.

"I want to thank everyone, every country. But let me, in a very special, gentle and grateful way, on behalf of the club, share the title we have just received with one of the people who gave us this possibility with their humanity and respect," said Mr. De Nes Filho when lifting the title with Mr. Jimenez.

Chapecoense were drawn for the Copa Libertadores as Copa Sudamericana champions. Photo: Reuters.

Chapecoense were drawn into group seven of next season's Copa Libertadores, alongside Club Nacional (Uruguay), Lanus (Argentina) and Zulia (Venezuela).

In South America, the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana are the equivalents of the Champions League and Europa League in Europe. In this season's Brazilian championship, Chapecoense finished 11th and entered the Copa Libertadores as Copa Sudamericana champions.

Chapecoense will return to action against Internacional de Lages in the Campeonato Catarinense on January 29, 2017. The match comes four days after Brazil and Colombia played a charity match for Chapecoense, and the Brazilian side have been invited to play against Barca in the Joan Gamper Cup next year.

According to VNE