In a piece of heart-breaking news for football lovers all over, the body which was said to be found in the English Channel plane wreckage has been identified as Cardiff City forward Emiliano Sala.
In a piece of heart-breaking news for football lovers all over, the body which was said to be found in the English Channel plane wreckage has been identified as Cardiff City forward Emiliano Sala.
Sala had been en route from Nantes in western France on Jan. 21 to make his debut for Premier League team Cardiff City when the small aircraft he was traveling in disappeared over the English Channel. The single-engined Piper Malibu aircraft had crashed into the sea.
The wreckage of the plane was found on Sunday following a privately-funded underwater search. The body of the pilot – David Ibbotson – is yet to be found.
After the release of the official statement by Dorset Police regarding body identification, football fraternity started to pay tributes to the former Nantes forward.
"The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday 7 February 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala. The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers," Dorset Police had said in an official statement.
Cardiff City also issued a statement after the Dorset Police officially confirmed the news. "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will forever remain in our thoughts," the Premier League club stated.
His former club aslo tweeted saying, "Because Emiliano Sala will never be part of the legends that have written the great history of FC Nantes, the number 9 he has worn is withdrawn."
Fifa also extended their sincerest condolences to Sala's friends and family.
“Enorme tristeza QEDP Emiliano. Mis condolencias a familiares y amigos #PrayForSala //Terribly sad Rest in peace, Emiliano. My condolences to his friends and family #PrayForSala,” wrote Argentine striker Sergio Aguero.
Many clubs also came forward to extend their condolences.
Sala had scored 12 goals for Nantes, who are currently placed 15th in the Ligue 1 standings. Cardiff who are struggling in the Premier League had signed the young striker to bring in some lethal attack in front of the goal.
The £15m transfer fee agreed for Sala beats the £11m transfer of Chile international Gary Medel in 2013.
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 "Football world pays tribute to Cardiff City forward, Emiliano Sala")
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