SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Ferrari welcomed on Thursday a ruling by Formula One's governing body that stripped McLaren of their constructors' points and effectively handed the title to the Italian team.

"Ferrari acknowledges the decision of the FIA to sanction Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for its breach of article 151c of the International Sporting Code," the team said in a statement at the Belgian Grand Prix.

"In light of new evidence, facts and behaviour of an extremely serious nature and grossly prejudicial to the interest of the sport have been further demonstrated.

"Ferrari is satisfied that the truth has now emerged."

The International Automobile Federation's World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Thursday to rule on allegations that McLaren benefited from a dossier of technical information leaked from Ferrari.

Championship leaders McLaren had denied having anything on their car that could be traced to Ferrari, who had been 23 points adrift with four races remaining.

The decision left Ferrari 57 points clear of nearest challengers BMW Sauber. Ferrari and McLaren are the only teams to have won races this year.

McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads team mate and double world champion Fernando Alonso by three points in the drivers standings and their points remain intact.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen is third, 18 points behind Hamilton.