Chapecoense will be posthumously crowned Copa Sudamericana champions after the club was decimated by this week’s tragic plane crash which claimed 71 lives.

The Brazilian club lost 19 of their own players during the horrific crash in Medellin, Colombia, where they were due to play Atletico Nacional in the first of a two-legged final.

The chartered LaMia flight to Medellin went down after running out of fuel and Nacional asked Conmebol, the South American football federation, to award Chape the title as a mark of respect.

Every Premier League game this weekend began with a minute silence for those lost in crash which has rocked the football world.

And interim Conmebal president Ivan Tozzo confirmed on Saturday night that Chape could be awarded the title posthumously.

"Conmebol have testified that they will crown Chapecoense as champions of the Copa Sudamericana," Tozzo told Globo.

Chapecoense Real Tribute Show all 11 1 /11 Chapecoense Real Tribute Chapecoense Real Tribute Flowers hang from a soccer net at the Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco, Brazil AP Chapecoense Real Tribute Supporters of Brazilian football team Chapecoense take part in a vigil at Conda Arena Rex Features Chapecoense Real Tribute People surround a church during a mass in memoriam of the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real killed in a plane crash in the Colombian mountains, in Chapeco, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute Fans of Chapecoense soccer team attend a mass at the Santo Antonio Cathedral in Chapeco, Brazil Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute A boy sits alone on the stands during a tribute to the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute Supporters of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense gather at the Arena Conda Arena in Chapeco, Brazil EPA Chapecoense Real Tribute People surround a church during a mass in memoriam of the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute Fans pays tribute to the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute Fans pay tribute to the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real who were killed in a plane accident in the Colombian mountains, at the club's Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute Players of the Chapecoense were among 81 people on board the doomed flight that crashed into mountains in northwestern Colombia, in which officials said just six people were thought to have survived, including three of the players. Chapecoense had risen from obscurity to make it to the Copa Sudamericana finals scheduled for Wednesday against Atletico Nacional of Colombia Getty Chapecoense Real Tribute People work at the Desbravador or Pioneer Monument, symbol of the city, which is pictured with black stripes in tribute to players of Chapecoense soccer team in Chapeco, Brazil Reuters

"We are receiving support from all federations. The CBF, Conmebol, FIFA, and especially the people of Chapecó.

"Right now we are beginning to rebuild the team. People want football, people love football in Chapecó.

"Therefore, we must continue this. Let's talk and do well, let the dust settle and rebuild the team for next year."

Clubs over the world came together in support for Chape, including at El Clasico (Getty)

The Copa Sudamericana was supposed to be the glittering end to the Chapeco club’s fairytale season, similar to the one experienced by Leicester City in the Premier League.

Brazilian clubs have promised to come together and support Chape by making them exempt from relegation and sending them players free of charge, with Ronaldinho and Juan Roman Riquelme offering to play.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino will be at the wake (Getty)

Hundreds of fans kept vigil at Chapecoense’s stadium overnight, which is where the wake will be held after the coffins of the deceased are transferred from a nearby airfield.