Football world mourns Emiliano Sala’s death in plane crash
Football world pays tribute to Emiliano Sala after the Cardiff City striker’s body was recovered from the wreckage of a crashed plane, while a minute’s applause will be held before games in France’s Ligue 1 and 2 this weekend in his memory.
Cardiff striker Sala, 28, had been flying from his previous club Nantes in western France to Wales on January 21 to make his debut for the Premier League team.
Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, who remains missing, were on board the plane which lost contact with Air Traffic Control on Monday, January 21, as the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft disappeared over the sea.
Cardiff has released a statement and also announced that the club will retire Sala’s No 9 shirt.
Nantes president Waldemar Kita, said, “ I do not have the words, it’s a tragedy, I’m devastated, Emiliano left his mark, which is why, like many fans, I want to honour him again by removing the number 9 “.
FIFA has also released a statement, which reads, “FIFA and the whole football community are deeply saddened about the death of Emiliano Sala. FIFA and its president Gianni Infantino would like to extend their sincerest condolences to his friends and family. Our thoughts are also with the family of pilot David Ibbotson.”
In the wake of his tragic death, the football world is paying tribute to the 28-year-old an Argentine professional footballer. Messages are pouring in on social media.
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 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/n9aV5CGcI1
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) February 8, 2019
No words to describe how sad this is. 😪 Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot. ❤🙏🏼 #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/Uirj6etfZk
— Mesut Özil (@M10) February 7, 2019
RIP EMI 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) February 7, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmkpnYlf2l/
The thoughts of everyone at #LUFC are with the friends and family of Emiliano Sala #RIPEmiliano pic.twitter.com/HmoaqIp0gz
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 8, 2019
What an incredible tragedy. Thoughts are with the loved ones of Emiliano Sala 🙏🏾 #RIPsala pic.twitter.com/13hCfAWLJb
— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) February 8, 2019
RIP Emiliano Sala. Terrible news, condolences to his family and friends. 🙏🏼😢❤ pic.twitter.com/lZi9fT55E2
— Jack Grealish (@JackGrealish) February 8, 2019
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtmfCUnlf9H/
Im deeply saddened about the death of Emiliano Sala. My Family and I would like to extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends. Our thoughts are also with the family of pilot David ibbotson. pic.twitter.com/W4GPLMdGZc
— Xherdan Shaqiri (@XS_11official) February 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/TrevohChalobah/status/1093837825001295872
May you rest in peace Emiliano #Sala 🙏🏻💛💚💙
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 8, 2019
Rest in peace Emiliano #Sala 🙏🏻
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) February 8, 2019
