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.