Emiliano Sala: Body identified as Cardiff City footballer

[shaaik]

Emiliano Sala: Fears Cardiff player on missing plane

There is "genuine concern" Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala was on a flight which disappeared between France and Cardiff.

It is feared the Argentine striker was one of two people on board the Piper Malibu, which disappeared off Alderney on Monday night.

Cardiff City, which signed the 28-year-old from French club Nantes on Saturday, said it was "seeking clarification" as to what happened.

A search is under way.

Cardiff Airport confirmed the aircraft was due to arrive from Nantes but a spokeswoman said there were no further details.

HM Coastguard said the disappearance was not in the UK search and rescue area, but it had sent two helicopters to help.

A spokeswoman said they were assisting Guernsey Coastguard with a search for a light aircraft off Alderney: "HM Coastguard helicopters from Solent and Newquay have been helping to search overnight with nothing found."

The search and rescue operation had to deal with worsening conditions as they scoured the area on Monday night.

The Met Office said at the time the aircraft went missing "there were some showers around, but nothing too intense".

"Wind speeds were not too bad - average speeds were around 15 to 20mph," it added.

As the search continued into the evening though, it became wetter and windier.


He has been among the top scorers in France in recent years and had scored 13 league and cup goals this season, third behind Kylian Mbappe and Nicolas Pepe.

When his signing to Cardiff was announced, he said: "It gives me great pleasure and I can't wait to start training, meet my new teammates and get down to work."

Club chief executive Ken Choo said: "I'm sure all Cardiff City fans will join me in that and we can look forward to seeing our record signing in a Bluebirds shirt."

The most recent tweet from Sala's account was a picture of him and his former team-mates, captioned "ciao".

Sala began his playing career at Argentinian side Club Proyecto Crecer, before moving to French club Girondins Bordeaux in 2012.

The flight disappeared off radar near the Casquets lighthouse, infamous among mariners as the site of many shipwrecks, 13km north-west of Alderney.

HM Coastguard said the helicopter from Newquay had now returned to base to refuel and rest the crew.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-46954922

 

[Abdullah719]

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City FC player on missing plane

Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala was on a light aircraft which went missing over the Channel Islands, the French Civil Aviation authority said.

The £15m Argentine striker, 28, was one of two people on board the Piper Malibu which lost contact off Alderney in the Channel Islands on Monday night.

Cardiff City signed Sala for a record fee from French club Nantes on Saturday and Guernsey Police said there was "no trace" of the Cardiff-bound flight.

His family said they felt "desperate".

Sala's father, Horacio, told Argentine TV, he heard the news from a friend.

"I didn't know anything. I couldn't believe it," he said. "I'm desperate. I hope everything goes well."

His mother Mercedes said: "Here in Santa Fe, everyone is very emotional. We do not know what to think, it seems like a lie... the town is in shock."

The plane left Nantes at 19:15 and had been flying at 5,000ft when it contacted Jersey air traffic control requesting descent, the force said.

The plane lost contact while at 2,300ft and disappeared off radar near the Casquets lighthouse, infamous among mariners as the site of many shipwrecks, 8 miles (13km) north-west of Alderney.

A spokesman for the French Civil Aviation Authority said the Piper PA 46 Malibu aircraft was French but had not been registered in France.

"We can confirm Emiliano Sala was on board," he said.

"This morning, the French research started with one French national navy ship and one aircraft. The investigation will determined which authority will take the lead on the research."

Sightings of red flares were reported during a lifeboat and helicopter search, but "nothing of significance was found", a Channel Islands Air Search spokeswoman said.

Police said on Tuesday more than 1,000sq miles had been searched by five aircraft and two lifeboats. The search had resumed after being called off overnight "due to strengthening winds, worsening sea conditions and reducing visibility".

Cardiff Airport confirmed the aircraft was due to arrive from Nantes but a spokeswoman said there were no further details.

Guernsey harbour master Captain David Barker said no distress call had been received.

"It's far easier to see something on the surface in daylight," he said. "We are looking for any traces of an aircraft, a life raft, persons in the water, life jackets."

The Met Office said conditions were not "too intense" at the time the aircraft went missing but had become wetter and windier later in the evening.

John Fernandez, a reporter for BBC Guernsey, said it was a difficult area to search.

"A number of search vessels are out searching the area. It's known for its strong currents - there are a number of shipwrecks," he added.

"The search area is absolutely massive at the moment. They're searching a number of different spots at the moment - they're not sure whereabouts this plane might have gone down."

Cardiff signed Sala for a club record fee after protracted negotiations with Nantes and he was due to join his new teammates for training on Tuesday.

He has been among the top scorers in France in recent years and had scored 13 league and cup goals this season, third behind Kylian Mbappe and Nicolas Pepe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-46954922

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Awful story. Echoes the Leicester one.

 

[MenInG]

remier League footballer Emiliano Sala was on a light aircraft which went missing over the Channel Islands.

The £15m Argentine striker, 28, was one of two people on board the Piper Malibu which lost contact off Alderney in the Channel Islands on Monday night.

Cardiff City, which signed Sala from French club Nantes in a record deal on Saturday, said it was "very shocked".

Guernsey Police said there was "no trace" of the Cardiff-bound flight and his family said they felt "desperate".

Live: Cardiff striker Sala missing
Sala - born in Argentina, made in France
Sala - timeline of Cardiff City signing
Sala's father, Horacio, told Argentine TV channel C5N, he heard the news from a friend.

"I didn't know anything. I couldn't believe it," he said. "I'm desperate. I hope everything goes well."

Meanwhile, John Fitzgerald, chief officer of the Channel Islands Air Search, said the probability of finding anyone alive from the missing aircraft was "reducing very rapidly".

Image caption
Map showing location of Alderney and lighthouse
"I think with the sea temperatures and the sea conditions the chances of finding anybody alive are reducing all the time," he said.

"The sea temperatures are very, very cold and just sap the core temperature of anybody in the water very, very quickly."

The plane left Nantes in north west France at 19:15 and had been flying at 5,000ft when it contacted Jersey air traffic control requesting descent, Guernsey Police said.

The plane lost contact while at 2,300ft and disappeared off radar near the Casquets lighthouse, infamous among mariners as the site of many shipwrecks, eight miles (13km) north-west of Alderney.

The force added UK authorities have been calling airfields on the south coast to see if it landed there but there had been no confirmations and a decision about an overnight search would be made at sunset.


Media captionCardiff City signed the 28-year-old from French club Nantes
A spokesman for the French Civil Aviation Authority said the Piper PA 46 Malibu aircraft was French but had not been registered in France.

"We can confirm Emiliano Sala was on board," he said.

"This morning, the French research started with one French national navy ship and one aircraft. The investigation will determined which authority will take the lead on the research."

Sightings of red flares were reported during a lifeboat and helicopter search, but "nothing of significance was found", a Channel Islands Air Search spokeswoman said.

Police said on Tuesday more than 1,150sq miles had been searched by five aircraft and two lifeboats. The search had resumed after being called off overnight "due to strengthening winds, worsening sea conditions and reducing visibility".


Cardiff Airport confirmed the aircraft was due to arrive from Nantes but a spokeswoman said there were no further details.

Guernsey harbour master Captain David Barker said no distress call had been received and if the search continues into the night it is unlikely to have a good outcome.

"We are looking for any traces of an aircraft, a life raft, persons in the water, life jackets," he said.

The Met Office said conditions were not "too intense" at the time the aircraft went missing but had become wetter and windier later in the evening.

John Fernandez, a reporter for BBC Guernsey, said it was a difficult area to search.

"A number of search vessels are out searching the area. It's known for its strong currents - there are a number of shipwrecks," he added.

"The search area is absolutely massive at the moment. They're searching a number of different spots at the moment - they're not sure whereabouts this plane might have gone down."

'Last goodbye'
Cardiff signed Sala for a club record fee after protracted negotiations with Nantes and he was due to join his new teammates for training on Tuesday.

In a statement, the club's chief executive Ken Choo said training had been cancelled and they were praying for "positive news" for the player and pilot.


Media captionEmiliano Sala told Cardiff City he wanted to "start training and get down to work"
He added: "We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing. We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team.

"Our owner, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and chairman, Mehmet Dalman, are all very distressed about the situation."

He has been among the top scorers in France in recent years and had scored 13 league and cup goals this season, third behind Kylian Mbappe and Nicolas Pepe.

Nantes president Waldemar Kita said: "I'm thinking of his friends, his family, I'm still in hope, he's a fighter, it's not over, maybe he's somewhere, waiting for some news that we hope will be positive, we are very touched by all the support received since this morning."

Sala began his playing career at Argentine side Club Proyecto Crecer, before moving to French club Girondins Bordeaux in 2012.

His previous side, Nantes, has postponed its games against Entente on Wednesday and St Etienne on Saturday, according to its match schedule.

The most recent tweet from Sala's account was a picture of him and his former team-mates, captioned "La ultima ciao", or "the last goodbye".

Local journalist Arnaud Wajdzik said the atmosphere in Nantes was "very emotional", and people planned to gather in the town square on Tuesday evening for a vigil.

Reacting to the news at Cardiff City Stadium, Keith Morgan, chairman of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust, said he was shocked by the news.

"We're obviously still hoping it's not confirmed but when or if it is, we will contact Nantes offering all our help," he said.

"I think fans realise what's important and things like this put everything into perspective. Football is important in all our lives but not more than a person's life."

Supporter Christopher Jenkins, 45, of Caerphilly, said: "I was nearly crying with my wife - it's a massive shock to everybody."

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-46954922

 

[Dios]

Heartbreaking.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Terrible.

Hope he is found alive.

 

[MenInG]

The search for a missing aircraft that was carrying Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala has resumed.

The Argentine striker, 28, was one of two people on board the plane which lost contact off Alderney in the Channel Islands on Monday night.

Sala reportedly sent a WhatsApp voice message to family, saying he was "really scared".

Media in Argentina reported that he said: "I'm on a plane that looks like it's going to fall apart."

Five aircraft and two lifeboats scoured more than 1,000 sq miles for traces of the Piper Malibu plane on Tuesday.

And the search continued from first light on Wednesday.

But John Fitzgerald, chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, said: "Sadly, I really don't think, personally, there is any hope.

"I think even the most fit person if they are in the water would not last longer more than a very few hours.

"At this time of year the conditions out there are pretty horrendous if you are actually in the water."

taking off and will search a targeted area we believe has the highest likelihood of finding anything, based on review of the tides and weather since it went missing."

Sala was heading to the Welsh capital after signing for the Bluebirds from French club Nantes in a £15m deal.

Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman said players and fans were in a "state of shock".

"We are still praying," he said, adding that the club had received messages of support from around the world.

The "family of football has a way of coming together at times of tragedy," Mr Dalman told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme.

He also confirmed that the club had not booked the plane for the trip, adding that Sala had "made his own arrangements".

"We will not leave a single stone unturned until we have all the facts," added Mr Dalman.

Air and sea crews from the Channel Islands, France and the UK took part in a 15-hour search on Tuesday, but found no trace of the aircraft or its occupants.

Guernsey Police was not able to confirm if floating objects seen belonged to the aircraft and warned that chances of passenger survival were "slim".

Sala's father Horacio told Argentine media on Tuesday: "The hours go by and it makes me think of the worst.

"I just want them to find him. The last thing they said is that the communication ended when they crossed the river [English Channel]."

Overnight, football fans in Nantes laid flowers at a fountain as a tribute to Sala and the plane's pilot with floral tributes also left at Cardiff City.

After joining in 2015, he had scored 48 goals for the Ligue 1 side.

French sports newspaper L'Equipe carried the news of Sala's plight on its front page on Wednesday with the headline: "The disappearance of a warrior".

It wrote: "In Nantes, the wait has been unbearable for the supporters of a forward loved for his battling qualities."

The single-turbine engine plane left Nantes, in north-west France, at 19:15 on Monday and had been flying at 5,000ft when it contacted Jersey air traffic control requesting descent.

It lost contact while at 2,300ft and disappeared off radar near the Casquets lighthouse, infamous among mariners as the site of many shipwrecks, eight miles (13km) north-west of Alderney.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-46966424

 

[Zeeraq]

Emiliano Sala: 'No hope' for missing Cardiff City player

There is "no hope" of finding missing Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala alive, a rescue official has said.

The Argentine striker, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson were on the plane which lost contact off Alderney in the Channel Islands on Monday night.

Chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, John Fitzgerald, said "even the most fit person" would only last a few hours in the water.

The search for the missing aircraft and its occupants resumed on Wednesday.

Sala reportedly sent a WhatsApp voice message to family. Sounding conversational and jokey, he said he was "so scared".

Media in Argentina reported he said: "I'm on a plane that looks like it's going to fall apart."

Guernsey Police said there were three planes and one helicopter in the air as they searched for traces of the Piper Malibu plane.

The force said: "There is as yet no trace today of the missing aircraft. The search is ongoing and a decision whether to continue will be taken later today."

Officers are also "reviewing satellite imagery and mobile phone data to see if they can be of any assistance in the search".

Sala was heading to the Welsh capital after signing for the Bluebirds from French club Nantes in a £15m deal.

The single-engine plane left Nantes, north-west France, at 19:15 on Monday and had been flying at 5,000ft (1,500m) when it contacted Jersey air traffic control requesting descent.

It lost contact while at 2,300ft (700m) and disappeared off radar near the Casquets lighthouse, infamous among mariners as the site of many shipwrecks, eight miles (13km) north-west of Alderney.

Mr Fitzgerald said: "Sadly, I really don't think, personally, there is any hope. At this time of year the conditions out there are pretty horrendous if you are actually in the water."

Guernsey Police is working on four possibilities, including that the "aircraft broke up on contact with the water, leaving them in the sea" and they "landed on water and made it into the life raft we know was on board".

"Our search area is prioritised on the life raft option," the force added.

Jersey's inshore lifeboat followed up on reports of debris in Bouley Bay, which is in the north of the island, but failed to find any debris.

Meanwhile, Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman said there were no plans to rearrange the Bluebirds' next Premier League match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on 29 January.

Mr Dalman said players and fans were in a "state of shock" and the club had received messages of support from around the world.

The "family of football has a way of coming together at times of tragedy," he told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales.

He also confirmed the club had not booked the plane and Sala had "made his own arrangements".

"We will not leave a single stone unturned until we have all the facts," added Mr Dalman.

Air and sea crews from the Channel Islands, France and the UK took part in a 15-hour search on Tuesday, but found no trace of the aircraft, Sala or Mr Ibbotson.

Guernsey Police was not able to confirm if floating objects seen belonged to the aircraft and warned that chances of passenger survival were "slim".

Sala's father Horacio told Argentine media on Tuesday: "The hours go by and it makes me think of the worst.

"I just want them to find him. The last thing they said is that the communication ended when they crossed the river [English Channel]."

Guernsey harbourmaster Captain David Barker, who is leading the Channel Islands search, said they had covered more than 1,200 sq miles (3,100 sq km).

He said: "Nobody in the joint control centre, including myself, wants to give up, we are determined to find the two men alive.

"Already we are seeing four and five metre waves out to the west of Alderney - which is in our search area - because of that we have been unable to put the lifeboat out to sea, so he's on standby in the harbour.

"But we will run until we lose the light again today and reassess at that point."

Overnight, football fans in Nantes laid flowers at a fountain as a tribute to Sala and Mr Ibbotson, with floral tributes also left at Cardiff City Stadium.

Sala's former club Nantes has changed its Twitter profile picture to a photo of the striker and tweeted: "Où que tu sois, on pense à toi" which translates to: "Wherever you are, we're thinking of you."

What plane were they on?

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said a PA-46-310P Malibu aircraft, registered in the United States, had a pilot and one passenger on board when it vanished.

It has begun an investigation, working with counterparts in the US, France and Argentina.

A spokesman said: "We will be gathering all the available evidence to conduct a thorough investigation. However, if the aircraft is not found it is likely to limit the scope of the investigation."

The plane is owned by Southern Aircraft Consultancy Inc Trustee, in Bungay, Suffolk, according to the US Federal Aviation Administration database.

The company told the BBC it was the trustee of the plane but not its ultimate owner.

Julian Bray, an aviation expert and journalist, said the aircraft was a single engine, six-seater plane.

He said he had listened to the WhatsApp recording by Sala and "was particularly listening to the engine sounds and I must admit it sounded slightly ropey - it didn't sound as smooth as it should be".

Mr Bray said the request to descend by the pilot could have been due to an issue with pressure onboard the aircraft, which did not deviate from its course.

He added: "They're [the plane] equipped with life jackets, but I'm not sure whether this one had life rafts on.

"Normally in light aircraft you wouldn't carry a life raft, but you will have floatation jackets."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-46966424

 

[Zeeraq]

Emiliano Sala: Search for footballer and pilot called off

The search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson has been called off after rescuers failed to find their plane.

Cardiff City's Argentine striker, 28, and Mr Ibbotson were on the aircraft that disappeared from radar on Monday.

After three days, authorities made the decision to abandon the search.

Guernsey Police tweeted at 15:15 GMT to say rescuers were "no longer actively searching" for the plane.

The statement, from harbourmaster Capt David Barker said the chances of survival "are extremely remote".

He added: "Despite best efforts of air and search assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France...we have been unable to find any trace of the aircraft the pilot or the passenger.

"We reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-46992612

 

[Gabbar Singh]

What a sad story.

Surprised that an £18 million asset was allowed to fly on something like this. He should have been on a twin engined jet at a minimum.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Rip

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Lionel Messi has made a plea to authorities who are searching for fellow Argentinian Emiliano Sala to not stop looking for the Cardiff City striker.

In a post on Instagram on Friday (h/t James Masters of CNN), the Barcelona superstar made an emotional appeal to those tasked with finding the 28-year-old: "As long as there's a chance, a thread of hope, we ask that you please #DontStopLooking for Emiliano. All of my strength and support to his family and friends. #PrayForSala."

Sala has been missing since Monday. He and pilot Dave Ibbotson were on a light aircraft that disappeared from radar over the Channel Islands.

The forward was on his way to join his new Cardiff team-mates having just signed for the club from Ligue 1 Nantes, where he had played since 2015.


The search for the two men was called off on Thursday after three days. A Guernsey Police statement explained, "The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote."

Sala's sister, Romina, asked that the search be resumed, per Masters:

"Please, please, please don't stop the search. We understand the effort but please don't stop the search. For us, they are still alive. It is difficult to express our feelings at the moment because everything is really hard.

"Emiliano is a fighter. I'm asking you please, don't stop looking for them. It's been three days and I've still got hope that they're alive. It's terrible, it's desperate not knowing anything. We don't have certainty of anything."

Manchester City and Argentinian duo Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Otamendi have both also taken to social media to ask that the search continue:

Meanwhile, a post on Nantes' official Twitter feed read on Thursday: "This search mustn't stop."

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...orities-not-to-stop-looking-for-emiliano-sala

 

[The Viper]

Emiliano Sala: Argentina president backs new search for footballer

Argentina's president has joined calls for the search for missing Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala to resume.

Mauricio Macri told his foreign minister to issue formal requests to Britain and France, according to a statement from his office.

The search for the Argentine striker, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, was called off on Thursday.

The plane disappeared from radar as the pair flew over the English Channel on their way to Cardiff on Monday night.

In a statement, the president's office said: "President Mauricio Macri instructed foreign minister Jorge Faurie to make a formal request to the governments of Great Britain and France to ask them to maintain the search efforts."

Mr Faurie is expected to make the request to both nations' embassies.

Earlier, Sala's sister Romina said: "We are convinced Emiliano and the pilot are alive somewhere in the channel."

Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Sala added: "I'm still in shock. We know Emiliano and the pilot are still alive. We want to go and search for them.

"We're asking please don't stop with this effort. All together, we will find a way to restart the search to find Emiliano."

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun an investigation which will look at "all operational aspects," including licensing and flight plans.

The Piper PA-46 Malibu disappeared over the English Channel with Cardiff City's new signing and Mr Ibbotson on board.

A "moment of silent reflection" for the pair will take place at the next round of Premier League fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mr Ibbotson of Crowle, Lincolnshire, held a private pilot's licence and passed a medical exam as recently as November, according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft was registered in the US, so fell under its regulations.

US law states private pilots cannot make a profit by carrying passengers.

Argentine striker Sala signed for the Bluebirds from Nantes on Saturday and was flying back to Wales from France when the plane disappeared from radar.

At 19:15 GMT, Mr Ibbotson made a request to descend before losing contact with Jersey air traffic control.

Guernsey's harbour master explained a "difficult" decision was made to call off the search on Thursday, saying the chances of survival were "extremely remote".

Captain David Barker acknowledged the family were "not content" with the decision, but was "absolutely confident" no more could have been done.

He insisted UK coastguard protocols were followed and hoped the families found some comfort in the incident remaining open, despite searches ceasing.

A petition launched in France to have the search resumed has gathered more than 67,000 signatures.

Sala's former club Nantes, along with many of its players, backed Ms Sala's calls, saying: "FC Nantes learned searches for the missing plane have been called off. These cannot stop."

Tributes have been left outside the Cardiff City Stadium
Barcelona star Lionel Messi - a fellow Argentine - posted a message of support for his compatriot on Instagram.

Three planes and five helicopters racked up 80 hours combined flying time looking for the plane, working alongside two lifeboats and other passing ships.

Ms Sala said she held a meeting with investigators, but could not comment about it, and said the family were grateful for all the support they had received.

Cardiff City's owner Vincent Tan said: "Monday evening's news shook everyone at Cardiff City FC to the core.

"We also thank everyone involved with the search and rescue operation, and continue to pray for Emiliano, David Ibbotson and their families."

Chief executive Ken Choo praised Sala as a "humble man", adding: "He's willing to fight and join us [Cardiff City] and help us, so I view him as a hero."

He said the club would provide information to the family, but added: "With a missing plane, there is a lot of information to acquire - it could take up to six months to a year."

'Alarm bells'

There were "alarm bells all around" the incident, aviation consultant Alastair Rosenchein told BBC Radio Wales' Good Morning Wales programme.

He said: "The one issue is whether a single-engine air craft should be flying at night, in winter, over water and with passengers. This is the real issue - it is a really bad combination."

He said despite only 1,400 of the planes being built, there was a "quite significant" number of deaths and injuries from flights involving them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46998548

 

[hadi123]

Very sad. It's unlikely he's alive unfortunately. RIP

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A lovely gesture.<br><br>Emiliano Sala has been included in the programme at Arsenal tonight. <a href="https://t.co/8aKDna4S3p">pic.twitter.com/8aKDna4S3p</a></p>— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCMOTD/status/1090320897045684230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[The Viper]

Emiliano Sala: Cushions 'from missing plane' found

An underwater search for footballer Emiliano Sala's plane will take place after cushions were found on a beach.

They were discovered near Surtainville on France's Cotentin Peninsula, on Monday, by French authorities.

Following this, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has identified an area of four square nautical miles for a search.

The plane disappeared with Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, on board last week.

Due to weather and sea conditions, an underwater search is not expected to start until the end of the week and will take up to three days, an AAIB spokesman said.

Unverified photographs of cushions, taken on Wednesday, were captured by a woman taking a walk on the beach near Surtainville.

Investigators believe the two seat cushions pictured came from the aircraft.

The AAIB will now use sonar equipment to locate any wreckage on the sea bed.

A spokesman said French safety authorities found the two seat cushions, which preliminary examinations suggested were likely from the missing aircraft.

Following this, detailed assessments of the flight path and last known radar position were carried out, which identified the search area.

Through the Ministry of Defence's salvage and marine operations team, a special survey vessel has now been commissioned to look for wreckage.

If it is found, a remotely operated vehicle will be sent down to examine it.

Argentine Sala signed for Cardiff City and was travelling from Nantes, where he previously played, when the flight was lost over the English channel.

An official search for it was called off with Guernsey officials saying there was little chance those on board survived, however, more than £290,000 was raised for a private search to continue.

"We are aware that a privately operated search is also being conducted in the area," an AAIB statement said.

"And we are liaising closely with those involved to maximise the chance of locating any wreckage and ensure a safe search operation."

Marine scientist David Mearns, who is spearheading the private search and is a Sala family spokesman, tweeted that both vessels will work together as "safely, completely and efficiently as possible".

On Wednesday evening, Nantes players wore shirts bearing Sala's name during their first match since their former striker went missing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47058064

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bobby Reid celebrates his goal with a tribute for Emiliano Sala &#55357;&#56911; <br><br>&#55357;&#56571; Live coverage → <a href="https://t.co/nOCybh8ExD">https://t.co/nOCybh8ExD</a> <a href="https://t.co/N1qIk7GXyL">pic.twitter.com/N1qIk7GXyL</a></p>— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) <a href="https://twitter.com/talkSPORT/status/1091753522599772160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[gazza619]

Emiliano Sala: Missing Premier League footballer's plane found

The plane that was carrying the missing Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala has been found, his family has been told.

A search boat located the wreckage on the seabed of the English Channel this morning.

The Piper Malibu aircraft, which was heading from Nantes in France to Cardiff in Wales, disappeared from radars close to the Channel Islands on 21 January.

Both pilot David Ibbotson, 59, and the 28-year-old Argentinian footballer are missing presumed dead.

Sala had just completed a £15m transfer to Cardiff City from French club Nantes.

Two vessels were looking for traces of the missing plane after a successful online appeal to fund the effort.

Shipwreck hunter David Mearns led the private search that was looking for the aircraft in an area of four square miles.

Mr Mearns told Sky News: "This is about the best result we could have hoped for the families.

"But tonight they have heard devastating news and in respect of the families I won't comment any further about what has happened."

Earlier today, Mr Mearns said the said the AAIB had a "high confidence level" the plane would be in the search zone.

It has been an anxious and heartbreaking time for the Argentinian striker's family since his plane disappeared.

The plane had requested to descend before it lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.

Emiliano Sala went missing when his plane disappeared

'I'm scared': Sala's audio message from plane
Emiliano Sala sent this audio WhatsApp message while he was aboard the plane which went missing.

Emiliano Sala sent this audio WhatsApp message while he was aboard the plane which went missing.
Sky News correspondent Tom Parmenter, who is in Guernsey in the Channel Islands, said: "It was early this morning at about 9am, the very early stages of the search that had got underway at first light this morning... that they saw something with the sonar equipment that they had on board.

"They carried out further passes over that area to pinpoint and have a closer look.

"They went through various stages of identification through the course of today, and David Mearns confirmed to me that they have now positively identified the wreckage as that of the plane that had been carrying the Argentinian footballer."

Guernsey's harbour master Captain David Barker said the chances of survival following such a long period were "extremely remote".

The family of Sala said they were "struggling with few answers about what's happened" as the search resumed on Monday 28 January thanks to the crowdfunding appeal.

The aircraft has been located four days after two seat cushions were found that were likely to have come from the plane.

https://news.sky.com/story/emiliano-sala-missing-premier-league-footballers-plane-found-11627529

 

[MenInG]

Wreckage from a plane carrying Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala has been discovered in the English Channel.

The Piper Malibu N264DB was lost on 21 January on its way from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, with the Argentine striker and pilot David Ibbotson on board.

Accident investigators are expected to send a submersible to inspect the wreckage later on Monday.

David Mearns, who led a privately-funded search for the aircraft, said it was located off Guernsey on Sunday.

He said: "All I will say, is that there is a substantial amount of wreckage on the seabed."

Parts of the plane were found after about three hours of searching on Sunday morning.

Mr Mearns's private search has now been stood down and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) is at the site working to recover the plane.

In a series of tweets, marine scientist Mr Mearns said: "The families of Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson have been notified by police."

He added: "Our sole thoughts are with the families and friends of Emiliano and David."

Speaking to Argentinian broadcaster Cronica TV, Sala's father Horacio said: "I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am desperate."

Cardiff had signed Sala for a club record of £15m and he was due to start training last month.

The 28-year-old striker and Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, were travelling from Nantes, where he had previously played, when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers.

An official search operation was called off on 24 January after Guernsey's harbour master said the chances of survival were "extremely remote".

Cushions believed to be from the plane were found on a beach near Surtainville, on France's Cotentin Peninsula, last week.

There were emotional tributes to the footballer as Cardiff played their first home game since the disappearance earlier on Saturday.

The club's manager, Neil Warnock, said he felt Sala was "with" his team as they beat Bournemouth 2-0 in the Premier League.

An online appeal had raised £324,000 (371,000 euros) for the private search, which began on Sunday.

Working jointly with the AAIB, Mr Mearns's ship and another search vessel, the Geo Ocean III, began combing a four square mile area of the channel, 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey.

The AAIB ship has remained at the site where the missing Piper plane was located, to deploy an underwater search vehicle to make a visual confirmation.

A recovery operation will then begin.

Officials at the AAIB said they expected to give an update on the operation on Monday morning.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47111632

 

[Abdullah719]

Emiliano Sala search: Body seen in plane wreckage

One body has been seen in the underwater wreckage of the plane that was carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson.

A search on Sunday found the Piper Malibu plane on the seabed off Guernsey, almost two weeks after it went missing.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed the sighting on Monday morning.

It added it was now considering the next steps.

The "substantial amount of wreckage" of the plane, which went missing on 21 January, was found on Sunday morning after a privately-funded search began.

The flight had been carrying Argentine striker Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, from Nantes, north west France, to Cardiff after Sala completed his £15m move to Cardiff City.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47118340

 

[Zeeraq]

Emiliano Sala: Nantes demand transfer fee from Cardiff City

French club Nantes have demanded payment from Cardiff City over the £15m transfer of Emiliano Sala, BBC Wales has learned.

Sala, along with pilot David Ibbotson, was on board the Piper Malibu N264DB which lost radar contact near Guernsey on 21 January.

The Argentine striker, 28, was Premier League club Cardiff's record signing.

Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation.

BBC Wales has learned the transfer fee is due to be paid in instalments over three years.

It is understood Nantes are threatening legal action if they do not receive a payment within 10 days. The BBC has attempted to speak to Nantes for comment.

A source at Cardiff says they will honour the contract but not until they have clarified "all the facts".

It is unclear whether or not the club have insurance covering the cost of the transfer.

And Cardiff are "surprised" Nantes have made the demand while attempts are being made to recover a body from the plane that was carrying Sala and Ibbotson.

The body was seen in the Piper Malibu on Monday, two weeks after the plane vanished near Guernsey.

French club Bordeaux are also entitled to a cut of the fee, thought to be 50% - Sala was on their books from 2012 to 2015 before joining Nantes.

The plane carrying Sala and Ibbotson, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, disappeared en route to Cardiff after the footballer returned to Nantes to say goodbye to his former team-mates.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47146614

 

[IMMY69]

French club Nantes have demanded payment from Cardiff City over the £15m transfer of Emiliano Sala, BBC Wales has learned.

Sala, along with pilot David Ibbotson, was on board the Piper Malibu N264DB which lost radar contact near Guernsey on 21 January.

The Argentine striker was Premier League club Cardiff's record signing.

Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47146614

I was wondering what would happen to the fee?
Is this something insurance would cover and did they place insurance on something like this? So many questions.

 

[MenInG]

A body has been recovered from the wreckage of the plane which crashed with Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said specialist contractors joined the operation in "challenging conditions".

It was carried out in "as dignified a way as possible" and the men's families were kept updated throughout, it said.

The wreckage of the plane, which vanished two weeks ago over the English Channel, had been found off Guernsey.

The Geo Ocean III, the boat carrying the body, arrived at Portland Port in Dorset on Thursday morning.

The Piper Malibu N264DB was en route from France to Cardiff, after the 28-year-old Argentine striker made a quick trip back to his former club Nantes two days after his £15m transfer to Cardiff was announced.

Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, was at the controls when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers on 21 January.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47152773

 

[MenInG]

The body recovered from the wreckage of a crashed plane is that of Cardiff City player Emiliano Sala, Dorset Police have said.

Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a plane piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January.

The Argentine's body was recovered late on Wednesday after the wreckage was found on Sunday morning.

Dorset Police confirmed the identification on Thursday night.

In a statement, the force said: "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."

The body was spotted in the wreckage of the plane on Monday and the authorities were able to recover it two days later, despite "challenging conditions".

The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said the operation had been carried out "as dignified a way as possible" and the men's families were kept updated throughout.

The Geo Ocean III, which was involved in finding the wreckage, took the body back to the nearest port of Portland in Dorset, where the body was formally identified.

The Piper Malibu N264DB was en route from France to Cardiff, after the Argentine striker made a quick trip back to his former club Nantes two days after his £15m transfer to Cardiff was announced.

Cardiff City, issued a statement shortly after identification was confirmed, saying: "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will forever remain in our thoughts."

Some of the club's players reacted via Twitter. Full back Joe Bennett wrote "RIP Emiliano", while centre-half Sol Bamba posted a black-and-white image of the team-mate he never got to play alongside.

Stars from the wider footballing world also paid tribute.

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger wrote: "Heartbreaking to hear the news about Emiliano Sala. Rest in peace! Thoughts go out to the family and friends of Emiliano and the pilot."

And Arsenal's Mesut Ozil tweeted: "No words to describe how sad this is. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot."

Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, was at the controls when the flight lost contact with air traffic controllers on 21 January.

He is yet to be found.

An official search was called off on 24 January after Guernsey's harbour master said the chances of survival were "extremely remote".

But an online appeal started by Sala's agent raised £324,000 (371,000 euros) for a private search led by marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns.

Working jointly with the AAIB, his ship and the Geo Ocean III, began combing a four square mile area of the English Channel, 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey, to make best use of the available sensors.

Mr Mearns said the plane was identified by sonar, 67m (220ft) below the surface, before a submersible with cameras was sent underwater to confirm this.

Following the confirmation, he also tweeted his tribute.

"I was glad to provide some small comfort to Romina, Mercedes and the whole Sala family during the past two weeks but my heart goes out to the family and friends of David Ibbotson whose loss is the same," Mr Mearns said.

During the recovery operation, the AAIB used a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) to aid the search, with no divers involved.

The body was moved first, and separately from the wreckage, to maximise the chances of it being successfully brought to the surface.

It said efforts to recover the crashed plane as a whole proved unsuccessful, before being abandoned due to poor weather.

"The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close," the AAIB said in a statement.

However, the AAIB said video footage captured by the ROV would provide "valuable evidence" for its safety investigation.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sala's former club, French Ligue 1 side Nantes, has demanded Cardiff City pay his £15m transfer fee.

Sala was Cardiff's record signing but never played for the club.

The fee was due to be paid over three years but Cardiff have withheld the first scheduled payment until they are satisfied with the documentation.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47166633

 

[MenInG]

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock dedicated his side's dramatic 2-1 win at Southampton to Emiliano Sala as Premier League clubs paid tribute to the forward.

Earlier this week, police confirmed that the 28-year-old £15m record Cardiff signing died in a plane crash.

"We wanted to do it for Emiliano and I'm really proud the lads have done him justice," said Warnock after Cardiff scored an injury-time winner.

Players in games across the Premier League and EFL wore black armbands.

Sala's body was found and identified on Thursday and a minute's silence was held before the game at St Mary's Stadium with Cardiff fans wearing daffodils in memory of the Argentine.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks," said Cardiff captain Sol Bamba. "I know Emiliano Sala was looking from up there so it's good to get the three points."

Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a light aircraft piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January.

The striker was flying to join up with his new Cardiff team-mates for the first time.

The club has offered to pay for Sala's body to be repatriated to Argentina.

The body of the pilot is still missing and his family have launched a fundraising appeal to find his body.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47184728

 

[hadi123]

Cardiff boss Neil Warnock dedicated his side's dramatic 2-1 win at Southampton to Emiliano Sala as Premier League clubs paid tribute to the forward.

Earlier this week, police confirmed that the 28-year-old £15m record Cardiff signing died in a plane crash.

"We wanted to do it for Emiliano and I'm really proud the lads have done him justice," said Warnock after Cardiff scored an injury-time winner.

Players in games across the Premier League and EFL wore black armbands.

Sala's body was found and identified on Thursday and a minute's silence was held before the game at St Mary's Stadium with Cardiff fans wearing daffodils in memory of the Argentine.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks," said Cardiff captain Sol Bamba. "I know Emiliano Sala was looking from up there so it's good to get the three points."

Sala, 28, was travelling to Cardiff in a light aircraft piloted by David Ibbotson, which went missing over the English Channel on 21 January.

The striker was flying to join up with his new Cardiff team-mates for the first time.

The club has offered to pay for Sala's body to be repatriated to Argentina.

The body of the pilot is still missing and his family have launched a fundraising appeal to find his body.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47184728

That was a very big result for Cardiff tbf, winning AWAY at your relegation rivals must be a great feeling and a great tribute for Sala!

 

[MenInG]

Two Southampton supporters could be banned from the club after taunting Cardiff City fans about the death of striker Emiliano Sala.

Sala died in a plane crash last month days after joining Cardiff with his body finally found on Thursday after a two-week search.

Two home fans were photographed making aeroplane gestures during their side's 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Cardiff on Saturday with the club insistent that swift action would be taken.

"Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City," the club said in a statement.

"Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary's."

Southampton said they would work with Hampshire Police to identify individuals who made indecent gestures towards Cardiff supporters.

"The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified," they added.

Players from both teams observed a minute's silence in tribute to Sala before the game.

"We could easily have folded, but we were determined," Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said following the win.

"We're limited, but you can't question their character and what they've got under their shirts, because they've bags of heart.

"We've won two on the trot but it should be three; we should have beaten Arsenal. That was the first game since the tragedy; the three games since we've been superb.

"Emiliano was a fabulous lad, and it's appropriate we came down with our black armbands on and put in a performance like that.

"We could have put that ball in the corner from the free-kick, but it's 'We've got to put it in the box and have a go'. The next few games are all winnable.

"All three subs were brilliant. Ken's (Zohore) back to himself; his eyes are bright. Victor's (Camarasa) made the goal, and (recent signing Leandro) Bacuna fitted in as if he's been there his whole life."

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...hampton-fans-ban-gesture-nantes-a8772016.html

 

[hadi123]

Two Southampton supporters could be banned from the club after taunting Cardiff City fans about the death of striker Emiliano Sala.

Sala died in a plane crash last month days after joining Cardiff with his body finally found on Thursday after a two-week search.

Two home fans were photographed making aeroplane gestures during their side's 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Cardiff on Saturday with the club insistent that swift action would be taken.

"Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City," the club said in a statement.

"Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary's."

Southampton said they would work with Hampshire Police to identify individuals who made indecent gestures towards Cardiff supporters.

"The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified," they added.

Players from both teams observed a minute's silence in tribute to Sala before the game.

"We could easily have folded, but we were determined," Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said following the win.

"We're limited, but you can't question their character and what they've got under their shirts, because they've bags of heart.

"We've won two on the trot but it should be three; we should have beaten Arsenal. That was the first game since the tragedy; the three games since we've been superb.

"Emiliano was a fabulous lad, and it's appropriate we came down with our black armbands on and put in a performance like that.

"We could have put that ball in the corner from the free-kick, but it's 'We've got to put it in the box and have a go'. The next few games are all winnable.

"All three subs were brilliant. Ken's (Zohore) back to himself; his eyes are bright. Victor's (Camarasa) made the goal, and (recent signing Leandro) Bacuna fitted in as if he's been there his whole life."

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport...hampton-fans-ban-gesture-nantes-a8772016.html

Absolute low lives. Hope these people can be identified and their employers made aware. But I heard some rumours that they may be jailed, don't really think that is possible as they've hardly commited a crime, just made some really classless gestures, but I wouldn't mind them being put in prison anyway, ****!

 

[MenInG]

LONDON - Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala died of "head and trunk injuries", an inquest in England heard Monday as it began to examine his death in a plane crash in the sea.

Sala, 28, had signed for English Premier League side Cardiff City and was flying to his new team from his old club Nantes in France when his plane went missing over the Channel on 21 January.

The wreckage was located on the seabed. The striker's body was recovered but pilot David Ibbotson is still missing. The plane remains under the sea.

In a brief hearing in Bournemouth on the south coast, an inquest into Sala's death was opened, and adjourned until November 6 pending further inquiries.

The post-mortem presented at the hearing gave Sala's cause of death as "head and trunk injuries".

Sala was formally identified by fingerprints.

In English law, inquests are held to examine sudden or unexplained deaths.

They set out to determine the identity of the deceased, the place and time of death as well as how the deceased came by their death, but they do not apportion blame.

'YOU SHOULDN'T GIVE UP'

Senior coroner's officer Ian Parry told the hearing that the plane "was located on the seabed in international waters.

"Following a closer examination of the site a body, later identified as Mr Sala, was found and recovered.

"To date the pilot, Mr Ibbotson, has not been found.

"Police, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and the Civil Aviation Authority are continuing with their inquiries," he said.

A fundraising campaign to restart the search for Ibbotson is already more than half way to its £300,000 ($385,000, 340,000 euro) target.

"If you've got hope then you shouldn't give up," his daughter Danielle told ITV television.

"He wouldn't stop searching for me."

Nantes gave a final rousing send off to Sala with a series of moving gestures in their Ligue 1 match against Nimes on Sunday.

Known as the Canaries due to their yellow kit, Nantes played in a one-off full black outfit with Sala's name on the back of each shirt.

Tickets for the game were sold at a symbolic nine euros ($10) in memory of the player's shirt number, which they have also withdrawn.

Before Saturday's Premier League match between Southampton and visitors Cardiff, a minute's silence was observed.

https://ewn.co.za/2019/02/11/footba...inquest?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[The Viper]

Emiliano Sala plane crash: Pilot's licence scrutiny

The pilot of the plane that crashed with Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala on board did not have a licence for commercial flights, investigators say.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed David Ibbotson held a private pilot's licence.

Its interim report said he could only fly passengers in the EU on a cost sharing basis, not for reward.

Cardiff City said it had "grave concerns" and questions over the validity of the pilot's licence.

Investigators have not yet been able to establish what arrangement Mr Ibbotson had with Sala, and the status of 59-year-old's licence at the time of the crash on 21 January will form part of the AAIB's investigations.

Sala was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB, which was found on the seabed 13 days after it vanished over the English Channel near Guernsey.

He had completed his transfer to Premier League side Cardiff from French club Nantes just two days earlier - for a club record fee of £15m - and had returned to France to say goodbye to his former teammates.

Mr Ibbotson has not yet been found and his family hope a fresh search for his body will begin this week after setting up an online fundraising campaign which has raised £250,000.

The aircraft remains underwater off the coast of Guernsey after an attempt to recover it was hampered by bad weather.

What is cost sharing?

As flying is an expensive pastime, cost sharing allows pilots to notch up their flying hours while sharing the cost of fuel, landing fees and other expenses with passengers.

The AAIB report said the basis on which Sala was being carried on N264DB "has not yet been established but, previously, the pilot had carried passengers on the basis of 'cost sharing'".

Cost sharing on private flights is allowed in the UK and the report said Mr Ibbotson, of Crowle, North Lincolnshire, had operated these type of flights before.

However, the report added that because the aircraft was US-registered, it was subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which meant he could only make the flight legally if he was paying half the operating expenses.

In addition, Mr Ibbotson needed a "bona fide purpose" for making the flight - also known in aviation as "common purpose" - and must dictate when the flight should leave, the report added.

It is understood the flight's departure was delayed to allow Sala to say goodbye to his Nantes teammates before he left.

The report said that, on the basis of a cost-sharing flight, it "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

This is one area the AAIB said needed further investigation.

What else does the report say?

The AAIB said the plane was found in three parts on the seabed after a submersible with cameras was sent underwater.

It was "extensively damaged" and the wreckage was held together by electrical and flying control cables, while the engine was disconnected from the cockpit area.

The AAIB said it had been unable to establish how much flying Mr Ibbotson had done recently, as his pilot's licence and logbook had been lost.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the preceding 28 and 90 days before a crash.

Mr Ibbotson had approximately 3,700 flying hours and held a private pilot's licence in the UK and US.

What are the next steps?
Air accident investigators will continue to look at all "operational, technical, organisational and human factors" which might have contributed to the crash.

One focus will be further analysis of the radar information to try and understand the final moments of the flight.

Investigators will analyse video from the wreckage in a bid to determine how the aircraft entered the sea.

An AAIB spokesman said: "We have gathered evidence from radar, weather reports, video of the aircraft on the seabed and interviews with witnesses.

"Some operational aspects are yet to be determined, such as the validity of the pilot's licence and ratings.

"Our priority now is to go through the evidence, much of which is extensive and complex, so we can piece together what happened between the aircraft being lost from radar and it coming to rest on the sea bed.

"This will help us understand the potential causes of the accident."

A Cardiff City spokesman said: "We welcome further investigation into the accident, which is required to determine precisely what happened, and to ensure changes are made so that this situation never happens again."

The remit of the AAIB, which is a branch of the Department for Transport, is to conduct safety investigations into the cause of aviation accidents without apportioning blame or liability.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47358572

 

[hadi123]

Emiliano Sala plane crash: Pilot's licence scrutiny

The pilot of the plane that crashed with Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala on board did not have a licence for commercial flights, investigators say.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed David Ibbotson held a private pilot's licence.

Its interim report said he could only fly passengers in the EU on a cost sharing basis, not for reward.

Cardiff City said it had "grave concerns" and questions over the validity of the pilot's licence.

Investigators have not yet been able to establish what arrangement Mr Ibbotson had with Sala, and the status of 59-year-old's licence at the time of the crash on 21 January will form part of the AAIB's investigations.

Sala was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB, which was found on the seabed 13 days after it vanished over the English Channel near Guernsey.

He had completed his transfer to Premier League side Cardiff from French club Nantes just two days earlier - for a club record fee of £15m - and had returned to France to say goodbye to his former teammates.

Mr Ibbotson has not yet been found and his family hope a fresh search for his body will begin this week after setting up an online fundraising campaign which has raised £250,000.

The aircraft remains underwater off the coast of Guernsey after an attempt to recover it was hampered by bad weather.

What is cost sharing?

As flying is an expensive pastime, cost sharing allows pilots to notch up their flying hours while sharing the cost of fuel, landing fees and other expenses with passengers.

The AAIB report said the basis on which Sala was being carried on N264DB "has not yet been established but, previously, the pilot had carried passengers on the basis of 'cost sharing'".

Cost sharing on private flights is allowed in the UK and the report said Mr Ibbotson, of Crowle, North Lincolnshire, had operated these type of flights before.

However, the report added that because the aircraft was US-registered, it was subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which meant he could only make the flight legally if he was paying half the operating expenses.

In addition, Mr Ibbotson needed a "bona fide purpose" for making the flight - also known in aviation as "common purpose" - and must dictate when the flight should leave, the report added.

It is understood the flight's departure was delayed to allow Sala to say goodbye to his Nantes teammates before he left.

The report said that, on the basis of a cost-sharing flight, it "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

This is one area the AAIB said needed further investigation.

What else does the report say?

The AAIB said the plane was found in three parts on the seabed after a submersible with cameras was sent underwater.

It was "extensively damaged" and the wreckage was held together by electrical and flying control cables, while the engine was disconnected from the cockpit area.

The AAIB said it had been unable to establish how much flying Mr Ibbotson had done recently, as his pilot's licence and logbook had been lost.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the preceding 28 and 90 days before a crash.

Mr Ibbotson had approximately 3,700 flying hours and held a private pilot's licence in the UK and US.

What are the next steps?
Air accident investigators will continue to look at all "operational, technical, organisational and human factors" which might have contributed to the crash.

One focus will be further analysis of the radar information to try and understand the final moments of the flight.

Investigators will analyse video from the wreckage in a bid to determine how the aircraft entered the sea.

An AAIB spokesman said: "We have gathered evidence from radar, weather reports, video of the aircraft on the seabed and interviews with witnesses.

"Some operational aspects are yet to be determined, such as the validity of the pilot's licence and ratings.

"Our priority now is to go through the evidence, much of which is extensive and complex, so we can piece together what happened between the aircraft being lost from radar and it coming to rest on the sea bed.

"This will help us understand the potential causes of the accident."

A Cardiff City spokesman said: "We welcome further investigation into the accident, which is required to determine precisely what happened, and to ensure changes are made so that this situation never happens again."

The remit of the AAIB, which is a branch of the Department for Transport, is to conduct safety investigations into the cause of aviation accidents without apportioning blame or liability.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-47358572

So this was very avoidable

 

[The Viper]

Emiliano Sala plane crash: Footballer was 'let down' by Cardiff, says Willie McKay

Emiliano Sala was "abandoned" by Cardiff City and had to arrange his own travel in a £15m transfer from Nantes, says ex-football agent Willie McKay.

McKay's son Mark was Nantes' acting agent in the deal for the footballer, who died in a plane crash last month.

Willie McKay arranged the flight that crashed in the English Channel, killing Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson.

Cardiff say they "strongly reject" the claim they neglected to provide Sala with travel arrangements.

"He was abandoned in a hotel more or less to do his travel arrangements himself," Willie McKay said.

But in a statement, Cardiff said: "Our club was in the process of organising a commercial flight for Mr Sala until this offer was declined owing to separate arrangements being made - the planning and specifics of which Cardiff was not privy to.

"Cardiff has serious concerns over the potential unlawfulness of the journey following information that has been released. Clearly more answers as to the details surrounding this terrible tragedy are required."

Willie McKay is not a registered agent but when asked why he was involved in the Sala deal, he replied: "I was helping my son."

The body of Argentine Sala - the Bluebirds' record signing - was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB, which was found on the seabed 13 days after it vanished over the English Channel near Guernsey. Ibbotson's body has not been found.

"I wish I had never gone to watch the guy play," said Mark McKay. "I wish I had never known anything about it in the first place."

Speaking to the BBC, the McKays say they have been made "scapegoats" but believe investigations will show the crash was a result of "pilot error".

In a wide-ranging interview, the father and son also say they:

Learned Sala was missing through a phone call from Cardiff boss Neil Warnock

Were paying the entire sum of Sala's travel
Will not chase Nantes for the money they are owed for brokering the deal

The crash has made Mark McKay question his future in the industry

Cardiff declined to comment when approached by the BBC on Thursday.

'Cardiff let themselves down'

Having signed for Cardiff, Sala flew back to Nantes on 19 January to say goodbye to his former team-mates before planning to return to the Welsh capital on 21 January.

Willie McKay said the disappearance of Sala's plane was first brought to his attention when he received a phone call from Warnock.

"Neil had called Mark and he told him to phone me," Willie McKay said.

"He told me the player liaison officer was waiting for Emi to come off the plane and it hadn't arrived. They feared the worst."

Willie McKay arranged Sala's flight to Cardiff through David Henderson - an experienced pilot who had flown him and many of his players "all over Europe on countless occasions". McKay did not own the plane and says he did not know who Henderson was going to ask to fly the plane.

"Nobody in Cardiff seemed to be doing anything. It was a bit embarrassing for Cardiff," Willie McKay said. "They buy a player for 17m euros and then leave him in a hotel by himself to go on the computer and look for a flight - I think Cardiff let themselves down badly.

"The way they've acted so far, they've been a disgrace."

In January, Cardiff told the BBC the club does not have a private jet for players to use and therefore they could not be expected to have arranged his travel to and from Nantes.

They added that "the relevant authorities must be allowed to determine the facts surrounding this tragedy". They are currently investigating the details of the flight.

We were paying for the flight'

In recent weeks, questions have arisen regarding the pilot's licence held by Ibbotson, and in an interim report this week, air accident investigators said he did not have a licence for commercial flights and could only fly passengers in the EU on a cost-sharing basis.

However, in what could cast fresh doubt over the legality of the flight, Willie McKay said it was not a cost-sharing agreement as "Emi wasn't paying anything" and that he was going to pay "whatever Dave [Henderson] was going to charge".

"When you phone for a taxi you don't ask him if he has a driving licence," he said. "I was just thinking about getting the boy home which he wanted and we were happy with what we did.

"I've been told on good authority he was a very good pilot so for people to vilify the pilot after a man's death is a disgrace. I don't hold anyone responsible because it's just a tragic accident."

Willie McKay claims Nantes owe his son £1.5m for brokering the deal but said "they won't be chasing Nantes for the moment".

"This is not about money, it's about two lives that have been lost," he said. "You're prepared to lose that £1.5m given the circumstances.

"I've got three great kids and a wife who have been very strong though this - if others want to argue about money let them, but we won't be arguing about money."

'We've been through hell'

Fifa is investigating the transfer payment for Sala after Nantes made a claim against Cardiff.

The Welsh side were due to make the first of three instalments on 20 February, but they agreed with French Ligue 1 side Nantes to extend the deadline by a week.

Nantes wrote to Cardiff on 5 February requesting the first instalment, which Cardiff were due to pay the first of on Wednesday.

Cardiff said they were withholding payment until crash investigations were complete and they were satisfied about "anomalies" around the deal.

"I don't care to tell the truth - I really don't care because what we've been through is total hell," Willie McKay said.

Willie McKay says the weeks since the crash have been "very, very difficult" for himself and his family, adding he feels "great grief" for the families of the deceased men.

But his son said he "doesn't see" how they would have ever done things differently and hopes "everyone can stick together".

Mark McKay admitted the incident had made him question his future as a football agent but added it was not the right time to think about it.

"You don't make decisions when you're in a place like this," he said.

"At the end of the day I don't want to sit here and be a victim because I'm not and that's a fact. But its been tough and its been tough for people around me."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47406109

 

[Abdullah719]

Cardiff City to tell FIFA that Emiliano Sala deal was void in new twist to transfer wrangle

Cardiff City are ready to tell FIFA that contractual technicalities meant the deal struck to bring Emiliano Sala to the club was rendered void.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Cardiff's response to a complaint over their refusal to pay Nantes the first instalment of the £15 million transfer fee will mainly focus on the Premier League's decision not to allow the striker to play in the competition.

It comes as FIFA, world football's governing body, seek a response from the Bluebirds after Nantes complained about not receiving the first £5m installment of the Sala deal.

The Telegraph report claims Sala was ineligible to appear in the Premier League due a signing-on fee issue in his initial contract with Cardiff that wasn't compliant with competition rules.

Cardiff are also believed to be ready to argue that legally-binding clauses in the transfer agreement struck with Nantes were not fulfilled.

It's the most recent episode in a row that has grown since Sala's plane crashed into the English Channel in January.

The striker's body was recovered from the wreckage of a private plane following an extensive search, although pilot David Ibbotson remains unaccounted for.

We understand the contract signed by Sala had been rejected by the Premier League and he had not put pen to paper on a new, revised deal.

The technical hitch surrounded the signing on fee.

Cardiff will argue Sala would have had to sign a revised deal in order to play in the Premier League. They are understood to also be keen on making the case that certain terms of their transfer agreement with Nantes had also not been fulfilled.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/emiliano-sala-cardiff-city-fifa-16021185

 

[MenInG]

The pilot of the plane which crashed into the English Channel with Emiliano Sala on board, was not qualified to fly at night, BBC Wales understands.

David Ibbotson is thought to have been colour-blind, which prevents pilots from flying at night.

Footballer Sala, 28, died when the plane carrying him from Nantes to Cardiff crashed late on 21 January.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it would not comment until the AAIB investigation was complete.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said licensing "continues to be a focus" of its investigations.

Regulatory authorities have confirmed that Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, did not hold a "night rating" on his UK private pilot's licence, the BBC understands.

His UK licence was mirrored by a US pilot's licence - enabling him to fly the US-registered Piper Malibu in Europe.

The public record of his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licence states Mr Ibbotson "must have available glasses for near vision" and that "all limitations and restrictions on the United Kingdom pilot licence apply".

There is no publicly available record of UK pilot licences, which are held by the CAA.

But sources have told BBC Wales that Mr Ibbotson's licence restricted him to "flights by day only".

"Colour-blindness stops a pilot from obtaining a night rating straight away, because being able to differentiate between green and red lights is key to flying in the dark," an aviation source told BBC Wales.

"Anything that's on the UK licence applies to the US licence as well, so he couldn't do anything more than the UK licence allows.

"Flying outside the restrictions of your licence is illegal and that's likely to affect the insurance cover for the flight."

European aviation rules define night as "the time from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise".

Flight plans seen by BBC Wales indicate the flight scheduled to take Argentine player Sala for his first training session with Cardiff City had been due to leave Nantes airport at 09:00 local time on 21 January.

But the flight was postponed until 19:00, at the request of Sala, to allow him to spend the day saying goodbye to his Nantes teammates.

By the time Mr Ibbotson taxied a Piper Malibu plane on to the runway ready for take-off shortly after 19:00, it would have been around an hour and 10 minutes since sunset.

Speculation about the legality of the flight has so far centred around the question of whether it complied with restrictions concerning private pilots flying passengers in Europe in a US-registered aircraft.

As a private pilot, 59-year-old Mr Ibbotson was not allowed to carry passengers for remuneration or financial reward.

A preliminary report from the AIIB, released in February, stated he could only fly passengers on a cost-share basis.

As the aircraft was US-registered, pilot and passenger must have a "common purpose" for making the journey, and the pilot must dictate when a flight leaves.

The report adds that the flight "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

In an interview in February, football agent Willie McKay, who commissioned the flight, told the BBC that he and his family paid for the flight.

He was not involved, he said, in selecting the plane or the pilot and it was not a cost-share arrangement.

The plane disappeared off radar north of Guernsey in the Channel Islands at 20:16.

Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage of the plane in early February but Mr Ibbotson's body has not been found.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) states that to obtain a night rating, a pilot must undergo five hours of theory and five hours of flight training.

In their preliminary report, the AAIB said that because Mr Ibbotson's pilot licence and log book had been lost in the crash, it had not yet been able to establish what ratings he held or how many hours he had flown recently - although it was known he had completed approximately 3,700 flying hours.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the last 28 and 90 days before a crash.

The AAIB is expected to publish its full report into the tragedy early in 2020.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47749265

 

[hadi123]

The pilot of the plane which crashed into the English Channel with Emiliano Sala on board, was not qualified to fly at night, BBC Wales understands.

David Ibbotson is thought to have been colour-blind, which prevents pilots from flying at night.

Footballer Sala, 28, died when the plane carrying him from Nantes to Cardiff crashed late on 21 January.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it would not comment until the AAIB investigation was complete.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said licensing "continues to be a focus" of its investigations.

Regulatory authorities have confirmed that Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, did not hold a "night rating" on his UK private pilot's licence, the BBC understands.

His UK licence was mirrored by a US pilot's licence - enabling him to fly the US-registered Piper Malibu in Europe.

The public record of his Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licence states Mr Ibbotson "must have available glasses for near vision" and that "all limitations and restrictions on the United Kingdom pilot licence apply".

There is no publicly available record of UK pilot licences, which are held by the CAA.

But sources have told BBC Wales that Mr Ibbotson's licence restricted him to "flights by day only".

"Colour-blindness stops a pilot from obtaining a night rating straight away, because being able to differentiate between green and red lights is key to flying in the dark," an aviation source told BBC Wales.

"Anything that's on the UK licence applies to the US licence as well, so he couldn't do anything more than the UK licence allows.

"Flying outside the restrictions of your licence is illegal and that's likely to affect the insurance cover for the flight."

European aviation rules define night as "the time from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise".

Flight plans seen by BBC Wales indicate the flight scheduled to take Argentine player Sala for his first training session with Cardiff City had been due to leave Nantes airport at 09:00 local time on 21 January.

But the flight was postponed until 19:00, at the request of Sala, to allow him to spend the day saying goodbye to his Nantes teammates.

By the time Mr Ibbotson taxied a Piper Malibu plane on to the runway ready for take-off shortly after 19:00, it would have been around an hour and 10 minutes since sunset.

Speculation about the legality of the flight has so far centred around the question of whether it complied with restrictions concerning private pilots flying passengers in Europe in a US-registered aircraft.

As a private pilot, 59-year-old Mr Ibbotson was not allowed to carry passengers for remuneration or financial reward.

A preliminary report from the AIIB, released in February, stated he could only fly passengers on a cost-share basis.

As the aircraft was US-registered, pilot and passenger must have a "common purpose" for making the journey, and the pilot must dictate when a flight leaves.

The report adds that the flight "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

In an interview in February, football agent Willie McKay, who commissioned the flight, told the BBC that he and his family paid for the flight.

He was not involved, he said, in selecting the plane or the pilot and it was not a cost-share arrangement.

The plane disappeared off radar north of Guernsey in the Channel Islands at 20:16.

Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage of the plane in early February but Mr Ibbotson's body has not been found.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (Easa) states that to obtain a night rating, a pilot must undergo five hours of theory and five hours of flight training.

In their preliminary report, the AAIB said that because Mr Ibbotson's pilot licence and log book had been lost in the crash, it had not yet been able to establish what ratings he held or how many hours he had flown recently - although it was known he had completed approximately 3,700 flying hours.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the last 28 and 90 days before a crash.

The AAIB is expected to publish its full report into the tragedy early in 2020.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-47749265

Wow. It's tragic how preventable this whole situation was. And now 2 people have died as a result of this. Really sad but makes you wonder why this went ahead if he didn't have the right qualifications. How on earth was this allowed when professionals are taking care of this matter. It's not like he's just a random person, he's a professional footballer, it's a joke that no clubs or anyone else involved would check this

 

[giri26]

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City submit evidence to Fifa over Nantes dispute

Cardiff City have submitted their evidence to Fifa in their dispute with Nantes over the £15m transfer fee for Emiliano Sala.

Cardiff have so far refused to make an interim payment towards the fee for the Argentine striker who died in a plane crash in January.

The Premier League club claim the deal was not legally binding.

Nantes referred the dispute to Fifa, who granted an extension to Monday for the clubs to submit their evidence.

Now Cardiff have confirmed they have met the deadline.

A club statement said: "Cardiff City FC has today submitted its answer in response to the claim filed by FC Nantes on 26 February 2019."

Recently, Cardiff offered Nantes direct talks in an effort to settle the dispute, after Fifa president Gianni Infantino said he hoped the clubs could reach an agreement.

But now the matter seems likely to be adjudicated by Fifa.

Cardiff will say Nantes' conditions for completion of the deal were not fulfilled and Sala was not registered as a Premier League player.

Nantes claim the required paperwork was completed and they were fully compliant with Fifa regulations.

Earlier a Fifa spokesperson told BBC Sport Wales: "Proceedings are currently ongoing and therefore please understand we cannot comment further at this stage. Any potential update will be communicated in due course."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47941982

 

[Zeeraq]

Emiliano Sala's father dies three months after son is killed

The father of Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala, who was killed in a plane crash earlier this year, has died three months after his son.

Horacio Sala, 58, suffered a heart attack on Friday, his friend and president of his local club confirmed.

Daniel Ribero, from San Martin de Progreso, told C5N TV channel that Mr Sala had passed away before doctors arrived at his home in Progreso.

Emiliano Sala's plane crashed en route to Cardiff after leaving from France.

The Argentine footballer was on his way to joining his new club Cardiff City from French club Nantes in a club record £15m deal when the crash happened over the English Channel.

Progreso mayor Julio Muller led the tributes to Mr Sala, telling La Red radio station: "Horacio could not overcome Emi, we thought that after the discovery he would be able to close that circle."

In a statement, Cardiff City said the club offered its "deepest condolences" to Mr Sala's friends and family.

"They are very much in the thoughts of us all at this difficult time," a spokesman said.

The Piper Malibu N264DB plane carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson went missing over waters near the Channel Islands on 21 January and it took rescuers two weeks to find the wreckage.

The football star's body was recovered on 8 February after a private rescue team took over the search for the missing plane.

The father-of-three, a long-distance lorry driver, spoke to the BBC two weeks ago and pleaded "that justice be done" for his son.

He told the BBC Wales Investigates programme he wanted to "continue investigating all the things that we have to know and that we can know."

"That is all I can ask," added Mr Sala, who had split-up from his son's mother Mercedes.

Air accident investigators are still looking into why the Piper Malibu plane carrying Sala to Cardiff for his first training session crashed.

The light aircraft was piloted by Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, whose body has not been found.

The legality of Sala's flight has not yet been established, but a preliminary report from air accident investigators in February said the pilot was not licensed to carry fee-paying passengers and the plane was not registered for commercial flights.

Cardiff City have said the club "wholeheartedly" backs the Air Charter Association's (BACA) calls "to secure a review of illegal flights".

In the three months since the crash, BACA said it had received reports of illegal flights happening in the UK at a rate of almost one per day.

Sala started his career at his hometown club San Martín de Progreso - in Argentina's Santa Fe region, about 350 miles (563km) from the capital Buenos Aires - and his father retained close links with the club.

A wake was held at the club before his funeral in Progreso in February.

The club confirmed Mr Sala's death and president Mr Ribero added: "At dawn he felt a pain in his chest, they called the doctor but when he arrived, Horacio had already passed away."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48065204

 

[MenInG]

A photo said to be of the body of Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala, who was killed in a plane crash earlier this year, has been posted online, prompting a police inquiry.

The 28-year-old's body was found in the wreckage of a light aircraft in the English Channel two weeks after the plane vanished near Guernsey.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We are aware that a picture reported to be of Mr Sala's body has been shared on social media channels and are disgusted that somebody did this."

He added: "It is clearly a very difficult time for Mr Sala's family and they should not have to endure additional pain that this shameful act will undoubtedly cause.

"We are investigating this incident and are working together with a number of agencies to establish how the picture was taken and who is responsible."

The Argentinian striker had been travelling in a Piper Malibu plane to his first training session at Cardiff City, after completing a £15m club record move from Nantes FC, when it crashed on 21 January.

The body of the pilot, David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has not been found.

On Friday it was announced that Sala's father, Horacio Sala, had died after suffering a heart attack, three months after his son's death.

Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage in the Channel on 8 February, after a private rescue team took over the search for the missing plane.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are still looking into why the plane crashed.

The legality of Sala's flight has not yet been established, but a preliminary AAIB report in February said the pilot was not licensed to carry fee-paying passengers and the plane was not registered for commercial flights.

On 15 April, Cardiff City submitted evidence to football's world governing body, Fifa, in a dispute with Nantes over the £15m transfer fee for Sala.

Cardiff have so far refused to make an interim payment towards the fee for the striker.

The Premier League club claim the deal was not legally binding and Nantes referred the dispute to Fifa,

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48081576

 

[gazza619]

How sad for the father to die so young as well.

 

[MenInG]

Two people have been arrested after a photo purporting to show the post-mortem examination of footballer Emiliano Sala was posted on Twitter.

A woman, 48, and man, 62, from Wiltshire have been arrested on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material.

Argentine striker Sala, 28, died in a plane crash in January.

Police said there was no evidence to suggest a break-in at the mortuary.

They also urged people to stop sharing the image of the body, which is "causing further distress to Emiliano's family and friends".

The woman, of Corsham, Wiltshire was also arrested on suspicion of malicious communications, and has been released on conditional bail.

The man, from Calne in Wiltshire, has been released under investigation.

Wiltshire Police said: "There is no evidence to suggest a break-in at the mortuary, and no evidence to suggest that any staff from the mortuary, or indeed any other council employees, are involved in any wrongdoing."

A post-mortem examination on Sala was conducted on 7 February at Holly Tree Lodge Mortuary in Dorset.

Dorset Police began an investigation on 13 February when the force became aware of the image on Twitter, which was swiftly removed, but had been circulated extensively on various social media sites.

Det Insp Gemma Vinton, senior investigating officer for Wiltshire Police, said: "During the course of this ongoing investigation we have been liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service Wessex.

"A file of evidence was sent to the CPS last week to consider whether criminal charges should be brought again the two individuals under investigation by Wiltshire Police.

"My thoughts remain with Emiliano's family for the pain they have endured throughout the last three months, and who should not have to go through the additional anguish of knowing such distressing images have circulated on the internet.

"I would also urge people to stop sharing the image - this is causing further distress to Emiliano's family and friends."

The Argentine striker had been travelling to his first training session at Cardiff City after completing a £15m club record move from Nantes FC, when the Piper Malibu plane crashed on 21 January.

The body of the pilot, David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has not been found.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-48099141

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Its a horrible image.

 

[The Viper]

Dorset Police says a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act by detectives investigating the death of Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala

 

[MenInG]

Two people have admitted accessing CCTV footage of the post-mortem examination of footballer Emiliano Sala.

Sherry Bray and Christopher Ashford illegally accessed mortuary footage of the Argentine striker's body and Bray took photographs of it, police said.

Sala had been travelling from Nantes to Cardiff in January when the plane he was travelling in crashed into the sea.

At Swindon Crown Court, Bray, 48, and Ashford, 62, pleaded guilty to three counts of computer misuse.

They were bailed until 20 September and a judge warned them they face jail.

Wiltshire Police launched an inquiry after an image purporting to show Sala's remains appeared on social media.

Police said Bray, of Corsham, was the director of a CCTV company which was contracted to monitor cameras at the mortuary in Bournemouth.

An investigation of Bray's business found both she and Ashford, of Calne, had accessed CCTV of the post-mortem and Bray had taken photographs of the footage on her mobile phone, the force said.

Bray then sent a picture to another person and subsequently attempted to hide evidence by encouraging Ashford to delete pictures he had taken.

Bray's phone also revealed she had taken a picture of another body in the same mortuary.

Judge Peter Crabtree said: "The starting point is custody undoubtedly in this case, it's extremely serious."

Det Insp Gemma Vinton, from Wiltshire Police, said: "The actions of Bray and Ashford caused additional unnecessary distress and heartache, and I hope the families will now be able to concentrate on grieving for their loved ones."

Bray also admitted perverting the course of justice.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-49292362

 

[MenInG]

Footballer Emiliano Sala was exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide prior to a fatal plane crash in the English Channel, a report has revealed.

Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson crashed on 21 January while travelling to Cardiff from Nantes in France.

Toxicology tests on Sala's body showed CO levels in his blood were so great it could have caused a seizure, unconsciousness or a heart attack.

The Sala family's lawyer said the report raised further questions.

Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found, but it is likely he would also have been exposed to carbon monoxide, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report said.

Sala's blood had a COHb (carboxyhaemoglobin - which forms in red blood cells upon contact with carbon monoxide) level of 58%.

At this level, symptoms would include include seizure, unconsciousness and heart attack, the report said.

It added: "A COHb level of more than 50% in an otherwise healthy person is generally considered to be potentially fatal."

Piston engine aircraft such as the Piper Malibu involved in the crash produce high levels of carbon monoxide, the report said.

The gas is normally conveyed away from the aircraft through the exhaust system, but poor sealing or leaks into the heating and ventilation system can enable it to enter the cabin.

Several devices are available to alert pilots over the presence of carbon monoxide.

The AAIB said they are not mandatory but can "alert pilots or passengers to a potentially deadly threat".

Daniel Machover of Hickman & Rose solicitors, who represents the Sala family, said: "The family believe that a detailed technical examination of the plane is necessary.

"The family and the public need to know how the carbon monoxide was able to enter the cabin. Future air safety rests on knowing as much as possible on this issue."

AAIB investigators are working with aircraft manufacturers in the USA - where the Piper Malibu was registered - to look at ways carbon monoxide could have entered the cabin.

They are looking at how "operational, technical and human factors" could have contributed to the crash and warned the aviation community about potential dangers.

In a statement, Cardiff City said it was "concerned" by the report, adding: "We continue to believe that those who were instrumental in arranging its [the plane's] usage are held to account for this traged."

In an interview in February, football agent Willie McKay, who commissioned the flight, told the BBC he and his family paid for the flight.

He was not involved, he said, in selecting the plane or the pilot and it was not a cost-share arrangement.

Geraint Herbert, the AAIB's lead inspector for this investigation, said it is believed both men were exposed to the gas before the plane crashed.

"Symptoms at low exposure levels [to carbon monoxide] can be drowsiness and dizziness, but as the exposure level increases, it can lead to unconsciousness and death," he added.

"The investigation continues to look into a wide range of areas in relation to this accident, but in particular we are looking at the potential ways in which carbon monoxide can enter the cabin in this type of aircraft."

The investigation into the crash is ongoing and is not expected to report its full findings until early 2020.

The bulletin - the second to be released following the crash - highlights the dangers of exposure to carbon monoxide in piston and turbine engine aircraft.

The plane carrying the Argentine striker - Cardiff City's £15m record signing - lost contact with radar near Guernsey.

Sala signed for Cardiff on 19 January - just two days before the crash - and had returned to Nantes to say goodbye to his former teammates.

An official search was called off on 24 January after Guernsey's harbour master said the chances of survival were "extremely remote".

But an online appeal started by Sala's agent raised £324,000 (371,000 euros) for a private search, led by marine scientist and oceanographer David Mearns.

Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB on 7 February and subsequently repatriated to Argentina.

Mr Ibbotson has still not been found, but it has since been discovered he was not qualified to fly at night.


Details released about Mr Ibbotson on Wednesday showed he had about 3,500 hours of flying experience - of which 30 were flying similar types of aircraft.

He had flown for about 20 hours in the 90 days before the crash, and seven hours in the previous 28 days.

Since Sala's death, Nantes and Cardiff City have been involved in a dispute over the transfer fee after the Welsh club claimed the deal was not legally binding.

Sala's family and friends claimed he was "abandoned like a dog" before his death.

His father Horacio died in April, three months after his son, after suffering a heart attack at home in Progreso, Argentina.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49345186

 

[Sir-fraz]

Fifa has given Cardiff City and Nantes until 5 September to reach a settlement in the dispute over the payment of Emiliano Sala's £15m transfer fee.

Sala, 28, was Cardiff's record signing, announced in January.

The Argentine striker died in a plane crash while travelling from France to join his new club.

Fifa sent a letter to both clubs stating that should they miss the deadline, they will issue its own ruling, which is subject to appeal.

"We can confirm that a letter was sent to the parties on behalf of the chairman of the players' status committee," Fifa said.

"Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage."

Sources at Cardiff confirmed receipt of the letter from Fifa.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino has previously said he hoped the two clubs would be able to reach an agreement themselves.

Cardiff have refused to make interim payments, claiming the deal was not legally binding.

The Bluebirds told world football's governing body that Nantes' conditions for completion of the deal were not fulfilled and Sala was not registered as a Premier League player.

Nantes claim the required paperwork was completed.

Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, crashed in the English Channel on 21 January.

The footballer's body was recovered from the wreckage of a crashed plane but Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found.

Sala was exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide prior to the fatal crash, a report has revealed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49517124

 

[Abdullah719]

Emiliano Sala: Fifa rules Cardiff must pay first instalment of £5.3m to Nantes

Spoiler

Cardiff City have been told to pay the first instalment of 6m euros (£5.3m) to Nantes for £15m striker Emiliano Sala.

Fifa ruled Cardiff must pay the sum "corresponding to the first instalment due" in the transfer agreement.

The Argentine, who was 28, died in a plane crash in January while travelling from France to join his new club.

Cardiff have argued they were not liable for any of the full £15m fee because Sala was not officially their player when he died.

The club refused to make interim payments, claiming the deal was not legally binding.

BBC Sport has learned that the second instalment of the £15m fee agreed for Sala is due to be paid in January 2020.

A statement issued by FC Nantes' lawyers, Jerome Marsaudon and Louis-Marie Absil, read: "We welcome this decision by Fifa. Cardiff must respect its commitments and the rules of sports law.

"Beyond the human tragedy that affected the entire sports community with the death of Emiliano Sala, Fifa has just reminded that the legal security of the commitments made by clubs in the context of player transfers must be respected.

"It is not a surprise, it confirms the position that FC Nantes has held for the last nine months: Emiliano Sala signed with Cardiff; his contract with Nantes was over; the international transfer contract (ITC), delivered by Fifa, states that on the day of the accident Emiliano was indeed a Cardiff player."

Cardiff believe the transfer was null and void, saying the Premier League had rejected certain clauses requested by Nantes in the original contract and that Sala never had a chance to review or sign the final version, meaning their record signing was not registered as a Premier League player.

A statement from Fifa read: "Cardiff City FC must pay FC Nantes the sum of 6m euros, corresponding to the first instalment due in accordance with the transfer agreement concluded between the parties on 19 January 2019 for the transfer of the late Emiliano Sala from FC Nantes to Cardiff City FC.

"The sum of 6m euros corresponds to the first instalment currently due in accordance with the contract. For confidentiality reasons, we cannot comment at this stage on potential future instalments or other conditions of the transfer agreement."

Cardiff, who were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season, and Ligue 1 Nantes have 10 days should they wish to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

"Cardiff City FC acknowledges the decision announced today by Fifa's players status committee regarding the transfer of Emiliano Sala. We will be seeking further clarification from Fifa on the exact meaning of their statement in order to make an informed decision on our next steps," read a Cardiff statement.

The plane carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, crashed in the English Channel on 21 January, two days after the players' transfer was announced.

The footballer's body was recovered from the wreckage, but Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found.

Sala was exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide prior to the crash, a report later revealed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49825166

 

[MenInG]

Cardiff City face a ban on signing players for three transfer windows in the dispute over the £15m transfer of striker Emiliano Sala.

In September, Fifa's Players Status Committee (PSC) ordered Cardiff to pay the first instalment of six million euros (£5.3m) to Nantes for the player.

Failure to do so, would lead to a three-window ban on transfers.

But Cardiff will lodge an appeal on the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in the next two weeks.

Sala, who was 28, died in a plane crash in January while travelling from France to join his new club.

Cardiff have argued they were not liable for any of the full fee because Sala was not officially their player when he died.

Fifa ruled Cardiff must pay the sum "corresponding to the first instalment due" in the transfer agreement.

The club refused to make interim payments, claiming the deal was not legally binding.

But Fifa's PSC rejected Cardiff's arguments on a variety of grounds.

The committee report reveals Cardiff had sought to delay Fifa's judgement until possible civil and criminal proceedings as well as an Air Accident Investigation Bureau investigation had been concluded.

They also argued Nantes would be "liable" for damages to them over the fatal flight, which was booked by Willie McKay and his son Mark, who was employed by the French club, to find a buyer for the player.

McKay has denied any involvement in the selection of the plane or pilot, Dave Ibbotson, whose body was never recovered.

The committee report says: "The members of the Bureau decided not to take into account any arguments brought forward by Cardiff in front of Fifa in relation to the circumstances surrounding the tragic passing of the player."

The PSC denied Cardiff's claim that Sala's employment with Nantes had not been terminated.

And they also rejected Cardiff's contention the transfer was not fully completed, saying the Football Association of Wales had undertaken "all the necessary requirements" less than two hours before the Sala flight left Nantes.

The report said: "The player's transfer from Nantes to Cardiff has to be considered as validly concluded between the parties. Hence the player was a player of Cardiff."

The PSC makes it clear this judgement relates only to the initial payment of the transfer fee.

At this time they were unable to arbitrate on further payments which are due in January 2020 and January 2021.

Cardiff were allowed 45 days from the moment Nantes provided them with bank details to pay the French club an initial £5.3m, plus interested accrued since January.

Cardiff's appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport
The report also said: "The Bureau finds it regrettable that the dispute could not be settled amicably."

Cardiff have refused to comment on exact details of the PSC findings, but have reiterated their intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

BBC Wales Sport has learned the appeal has to be lodged with the next two weeks.

The plane carrying Sala and pilot Ibbotson, 59, crashed in the English Channel on 21 January, two days after the players' transfer was announced.

The footballer's body was recovered from the wreckage, but Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found.

Sala was exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide prior to the crash, a report later revealed.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50288398

 

[The Viper]

Emiliano Sala family: 'Mistake' for investigators not to recover plane wreckage

The wreck of the aircraft has washed away and only a number of small parts are still at the site where the plane came down.

Emiliano Sala's family has criticised air accident investigators for not recovering the wreckage of the plane which crashed in the English Channel, killing the footballer and a pilot.

His relatives said the decision was a "mistake" as the Piper Malibu wreck has now washed away and only a number of small parts are possibly still at the site where the aircraft came down.

The family fears the full recovery of key debris from the wreckage may now be impossible following January's tragedy.

The discovery came during another sonar survey of the crash site on 22 October.

It was organised by the family after the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) decided it was not necessary to revisit the scene or recover the wreck.

Family lawyer Matthew Reeve said: "The family disagree with the decision not to salvage the wreckage.

"The aircraft wreckage is no longer present near to the location and some debris likely to be remains of the aircraft may not remain in place very long."

Another lawyer Daniel Machover said: "Emiliano's family believe that the AAIB's decision not to recover the wreck of the Piper Malibu was a mistake.

"Recovery could have happened in February, when Emiliano's body was recovered, but it is too late now."

Argentinian Sala, 28, was on his way to the UK after signing for Cardiff City from French club Nantes when the private plane crashed north of Guernsey on 21 January.

His body was recovered in February but the body of the pilot, 59-year-old David Ibbotson, has not been found.

The pair were exposed to harmful levels of carbon monoxide inside the cockpit before the crash, air accident investigators said in August.

At a pre-inquest review in Bournemouth on Wednesday, the coroner Rachael Griffin asked the AAIB why the aircraft was not being recovered considering toxicology results from a post-mortem showed Mr Sala had carbon monoxide in his bloodstream.

Geraint Herbert, senior inspector for the AAIB, said it felt it had identified safety issues without the need to further examine the plane.

He said the safety of divers and the practicality of recovering the wreck had to be taken into consideration.

He added it would not be possible to determine whether damage seen on the stricken plane would have occurred prior to the crash, during the impact or while under the water.

At the request of Mr Sala's family, the coroner called on the police to preserve any blood samples to ensure there can be further independent testing if needed.

And she said she would write to the pathologist, Dr Basil Purdue, to ask what led to further testing earlier this year for carbon monoxide.

Police have said inquiries continue following the arrest earlier this year of a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

https://news.sky.com/story/emiliano...gators-not-to-recover-plane-wreckage-11855879

 

[Abdullah719]

 

[MenInG]

On a typical Saturday afternoon in Progreso, the streets seem completely deserted. As the summer sun blazes outside, most of its 2,000 inhabitants are sheltering indoors.

The only human presence is at San Martin football club, where a family is celebrating a baptism. It is the same place where the town mourned its most illustrious son, Emiliano Sala.

Located in Argentina's agricultural heart, six hours' drive from Buenos Aires, Progreso sadly became better known in the tragic story of Cardiff's record signing, who died in a plane crash in January 2019. When his casket arrived back home, those empty streets held more people than they had ever seen before.

Spoiler

A year later, the pain is still palpable. BBC Sport visited between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, a time of reflection for most of the town. Here, Sala was not only a football star. He was El Emi, the kid everybody knew. He was a friend, a neighbour, a former pupil, a former team-mate.

For his mother, Mercedes, and his 24-year-old brother, Dario, it is not easy to speak about what happened.

When Dario opens the door of their home, Mercedes is sitting in the dining room. "Thanks for coming, it means a lot to pay homage to my son," she says as she instantly offers a glass of water.

A smiling picture of Emiliano, Dario and sister Romina lights up the room. Sala's father Horacio also died last year. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 58 in April, three months after his son's death. He and Mercedes did not live together.

"When Emi was 15, he sat in the kitchen at our old house and told me: 'Mummy, I want to be a football player'. He wanted that so much, and to pursue that dream he had to move to San Francisco, in Cordoba province," says Mercedes.

"He was just a boy, and it was so difficult to see him leave, but he was so resolute, so convinced that he would make it. It was his dream, and he did make it. He loved football. And now he was so excited to play in the Premier League."

Sala, who was 28 when he died, was on his way to join Cardiff City, following a £15m transfer from French side Nantes, when the plane he was travelling in crashed. He had signed for the Welsh club two days before. Cardiff and Nantes have since been in dispute over transfer payments. Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage in the English Channel, but pilot David Ibbotson has still not been found.

The Nantes supporters loved Sala, who moved there in 2015. Some have come to visit Progreso since his death. Even his hairdresser travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to see where he lived and meet his family.

Mercedes' living room is now home to many of the gifts her son received during his three and a half seasons at Nantes. Collecting and sorting his belongings was another of the very painful experiences the family had to endure last year.

"Every year I'd go to France in October for his birthday, and I'd stay with him for a month," says Mercedes. "The first week was always a celebration of the food he loved. In my luggage, I would pack the ready-made pastry circles to make empanadas, and also breadcrumbs for Milanesas, because the ones in France were different.

"'Mummy, please make all the dishes I love,' he would tell me. I'd also make homemade pasta. But after this one week he'd quickly switch back to his football diet, with lots of fish, because he was so focused on being fit. He was a hard worker. On top of training for the club, he also had a personal trainer and set up a gym in his house."

After home matches, supporters would gather, waiting for his car to go past on the way out of the stadium.

"He was shy, but he would always stop, open the windows and start signing autographs and taking selfies," Mercedes says.

"All those fans, today, are the ones that I want to thank, because they are still sending me pictures I had never seen before.

"I receive so much stuff from France, from England, from the rest of Argentina."

Dario says: "It was beautiful to see how much the people loved him. I remember when he was in talks to renew his contract and people would just ask him to stay."

Sala was looking forward to his move to the Premier League and he dreamed of getting a call-up to represent Argentina.

In November 2017, he was Argentina's most prolific striker behind Lionel Messi. His brother Dario, and many people from Progreso, still cherish the image captured from TV: Messi had scored a goal every 95 minutes; Sala every 98.

A photo depicting France and Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe, the man who ended Argentina's chances at World Cup 2018, going to hug him is still treasured. Sala was so shy he would hardly ask for a jersey swap.

"We'd talk a lot about the national team, as two fans do," says Dario. "He knew it was very difficult to be part of the squad, with the calibre of the strikers that we have. But I'm sure he never lost hope, not my brother. He wanted to be a footballer and he'd achieved it. He wanted to play in the top flight and he made it. He wanted to go to the Premier League and he'd just achieved it.

"Playing for Argentina was the natural desire. We would imagine him scoring after getting a pass from Messi, for instance. Who wouldn't?"

Growing up, Sala admired Gabriel Batistuta and Carlos Tevez. He was a fan of Independiente, because of his friend Colito's influence.

Dario says: "I'm five years younger than him, so growing up I would always end up going in goal and he'd get all the shots.

"We didn't have many of the things that other kids might have had, but thanks to my mum we never had a meal missing from our table. That's where we come from. From sacrifice. And we are all very alike. Emi was the oldest of the three and he was shy."

Mercedes says: "It's still so fresh. I can still see them playing outside. I would have to call them in to have dinner or take a shower. There were no toys for them, just football.

"He didn't see himself as famous or anything, that's why when he came back to the town. He was just an ordinary citizen… and what a son he was."

She starts crying.

"Do you know that we would talk two, sometimes three times a day? Every day? That was my son. He would tell me everything - the food he'd eaten, the things he'd done. Sometimes he'd complain about his performance, and perhaps he had scored a goal or made one, but he was always trying to progress."

Dario adds: "We had a WhatsApp group, the four of us: mum, Emi, Romina and me. He'd speak to mum and if he couldn't call me, he'd write at night saying that it was late in France and we'd speak the next afternoon. There was distance, but it was like we were all together. He'd ask me a lot about football, about the team, about his performances. It was a joy to be able to watch him live on TV, too. It wasn't the case with some of the first clubs he played for."

One year after leaving home for Cordoba, Sala made his first trip to Europe to have a trial with Bordeaux. He signed for them in 2010, a move made easier by him gaining Italian citizenship. Before his transfer to Nantes came in 2015, he had been loaned out to some smaller French sides: Orleans, Niort and Caen.

"He was completely focused on getting better," Mercedes says. "He learned French, had become extremely fluent, and now he'd surely have been taking English courses."

On the date of Sala's birthday last year, a giant mural was unveiled at San Martin, where it all began. The club's small stadium - which holds about 2,000 people - was also named after him.

"It's a very nice mural, very realistic, and very touching, too," Dario says. "I go often to the club and I take a moment to pass it."

San Martin also play with Sala's image on their black-and-red jerseys, while the regional league they compete in was renamed the Liga Emiliano Sala. For Mercedes, each homage and every gesture acts like a valve releasing something of the pain of losing her first son.

"As a mother, seeing all this love, all these messages, feeling the comfort of so many people, it is touching. But what can I say? I just want to have him here with me."

Two days before Sala's plane crashed, Progreso had celebrated its traditional Fiesta del Queso - a cheese festival showcasing producers from the local area. The main square, Los Colonizadores, was filled with joy. Through the speakers it was announced that El Emi would move to the Premier League, becoming Cardiff's record signing. It felt as the town itself had earned that distinction.

That same square would soon be overcrowded with TV vans, cameras, journalists from all over the world. After they left, the candles and prayers remained.

"I can't say I found peace, unfortunately. I'm still fighting," Mercedes says. She pauses for a long time.

"I am practically dead while living. It's been a terrible, terrible year. I loved him so much. I would tell him every day," she says in tears.

Outside, three dogs are barking in the back yard. One of them is Nala, the five-year-old dog Sala had rescued as a puppy in France. She became famous for a picture in which she was seen waiting for her owner to come home.

"She knew us from all the times we'd been in France, but when she came here, she found all the stuff from Emi, and I'm convinced that she also recognised his smell," Mercedes says. "We decided to take her to the wake, so she could also be with him."

The family had a private wake before going to San Martin's main hall for the public funeral in February last year. "There was a whole town wanting to say goodbye," Mercedes says. "We understood it was the right thing to do.

"Since that call at six in the morning..." she sighs deeply. "It seems as if it was yesterday, and it's already been one year. The pain is intact and it will never go away."

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51133964

 

[Abdullah719]

Emiliano Sala: Nantes pay tribute to Argentine striker

Spoiler

French club Nantes paid tribute to their former striker Emiliano Sala at Sunday's game against Bordeaux.

Nantes worse a special shirt in the Argentina colours, and there were giant tifos around the ground and a minute's applause before kick-off.

Their home game came five days after the first anniversary of Sala's death.

The Argentine was flying to join Cardiff City from Nantes when the plane carrying him crashed into the English Channel on 21 January 2019.

His body was recovered from the plane wreckage in early February 2019, but 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51258219

 

[Ryw]

Emiliano Sala: No action against manslaughter suspect
A plane carrying Mr Sala crashed into the Channel in January 2019, killing him and the pilot.

Police investigating the death of the footballer Emiliano Sala have confirmed no further action will be taken against a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

A plane carrying Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson was flying from Nantes to Cardiff in January 2019 when it lost contact with air traffic control before crashing into the Channel.

Sala's body was recovered from the wreckage of the plane in February 2019. Mr Ibbotson's body has yet to be found.

Enquiries around Sala's death included an investigation into whether a third party had played a part in the death of the then-recently signed Cardiff City player.

One man, a 64-year-old, was arrested as a result of the investigation in June 2019 on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

But Dorset Police has announced it will not be charging the man, who is from North Yorkshire, over the deaths of Sala and Mr Ibbotson.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, from Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "We have carried out a detailed examination into the circumstances of Mr Sala's death.

"This has been a complex investigation involving the examination of a large amount of evidence and in liaison with a range of organisations.

"We have worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) during our investigation and we are now able to confirm that Dorset Police will not be seeking a formal charging decision by the CPS in relation to homicide offences."

Detective Inspector Huxter said that Dorset Police would continue to support the investigation being carried out by the CAA and carry out enquiries on behalf of Her Majesty's Coroner as part of the inquest process.

Earlier this year, Cardiff City FC called for French authorities to investigate what they described as "sufficient evidence of wrongdoing" by some of those involved in the striker's transfer from Nantes.

Cardiff have yet to pay any of the £15m transfer fees associated with Sala's move from Nantes.

FIFA had called on Cardiff to pay €6m (£5.25m) to Nantes in November last year, but the club refused to do so, instead appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Cardiff say the circumstances surrounding Sala's death in a plane arranged by an agent who organised the transfer meant Nantes FC were liable for damages caused to them.

The CAS is due to hold a hearing this spring, with a final decision on the ongoing legal battle expected by the summer.

Cardiff City FC have been approached for comment.

https://news.sky.com/story/emiliano-sala-no-action-against-manslaughter-suspect-11955284

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A report into the death of footballer Emiliano Sala has found that neither the pilot nor plane had the required licence to operate commercial flights.</p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1238465426566320128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[The Viper]

A lawyer for Emiliano Sala's family has said that they are in a "very difficult economic situation" after revealing a trust fund launched by Cardiff City in January in his memory was not set up.

 

[Abdullah719]

Emiliano Sala: Man charged in connection with crash

A man has appeared in court in connection with the plane crash which killed footballer Emiliano Sala, a pre-inquest hearing was told.

The plane carrying 28-year-old Sala and pilot David Ibbotson crashed into the English Channel in January 2019.

David Henderson, 66, pleaded not guilty to offences under the Air Navigation Order in September.

The full inquest at Bournemouth Coroner’s Court was adjourned until after the trial in 2022.

Matthew Reeve, representing Mr Sala’s family, said the delay to holding a full inquest would be a “severe blow” to them.

However senior coroner for Dorset, Rachael Griffin, said the adjournment was needed “in the interests of justice”.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-54551522

 

[Firebat]

Emiliano Sala family launch legal action over air crash death

The family of footballer Emiliano Sala has begun legal action against his old club and Cardiff City, who he was about to join when he died in an air crash.

The Argentinian national died when the plane taking him from Nantes to the Welsh capital crashed into the sea north of Guernsey on 21 January 2019.

Lawyers said the action was being taken to "protect [the family's] legal rights" pending an inquest's outcome.

A pre-inquest hearing into Sala's death is due to take place in Bournemouth.

Sala's family's legal team has listed 13 defendants in their case and are ready for the proceedings to be delayed until after the inquest.

As well as the two football clubs, football agent Mark McKay who was working for Nantes in the transfer deal, and his father Willie McKay are named in the civil proceedings, along with the company that owned the plane, the plane's manufacturers and those involved in its maintenance.

The proceedings will go ahead after the inquest, and the trial of David Henderson - who is accused of organising the flight from Nantes - in October.

Striker Sala, 28, had been signed for £15m from FC Nantes, and was on the way to his new club on 21 January 2019, when the plane crashed.

The body of pilot David Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, has not been found.

Mr Henderson faces charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft, as well as attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation.

Ahead of the pre-inquest hearing in Bournemouth, lawyer Daniel Machover said Sala's family wanted the coroner to fix the inquest date soon after the trial of Mr Henderson, which is due to start on 18 October.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-56346321

 

[MenInG]

A man due to stand trial on charges linked to the plane crash which killed Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala has pleaded guilty to one count.

During pre-trial hearings at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday, 67-year-old David Henderson changed his plea to guilty on the count of attempting to discharge a passenger without valuable consideration.

The trial will now be held on a single count of acting in a reckless or negligent manner likely to endanger an aircraft. He denies the charge.

The 28-year-old Argentine striker died after the plane he was flying in from Nantes, France, to Cardiff crashed over the English Channel near Guernsey in January 2019.

The pilot of the Piper Malibu aircraft, David Ibbotson, also died.

Mr Ibbotson's body has never been found - but a private search did recover Sala's body from the seabed in February 2019.


The flight took place just days after Cardiff City secured Sala or £15m from French side FC Nantes.

SKY

 

[MenInG]

The businessman who organised the flight that killed footballer Emiliano Sala has been found guilty of endangering the safety of the aircraft.

David Henderson, 67, was convicted by a majority verdict of 10 to two over the death of the player by a jury at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday.

The plane carrying 28-year-old Sala crashed into the English Channel on the evening of January 21, 2019, killing the striker and pilot David Ibbotson, 59.

It took the jury of seven men and five women seven-and-a-half hours to convict Henderson, the aircraft operator, who the trial heard had arranged the flight with football agent William 'Willie' McKay.

He had asked Mr Ibbotson to fly the plane as he was away on holiday with his wife in Paris.

Mr Ibbotson, who regularly flew for him, did not hold a commercial pilot's licence, a qualification to fly at night, and his rating to fly the single-engine Piper Malibu had expired.

The jury heard how just moments after finding out the plane had gone down, Henderson texted a number of people telling them to stay silent, warning it would "open a can of worms".

The father-of-three and former RAF officer admitted in court he had feared an investigation into his business dealings.

Prosecutor Martin Goudie QC said Henderson had been "reckless or negligent" in the way he operated the plane, putting his business above the safety of passengers by using an authorised plane and hiring pilots neither qualified nor competent to complete the flights.

Mr Goudie said Henderson had created a culture of breaching the air navigation regulations among the pilots he hired.

The owner of the plane Fay Keely had told Henderson not to allow Mr Ibbotson to pilot the plane again after being contacted by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) about two airspace infringements he had committed.

Despite this, Henderson allowed Mr Ibbotson to continue flying, and in a message to the pilot said: "We both have an opportunity to make money out of the business model but not if we upset clients or draw the attention of the CAA."

Henderson did not have a Foreign Carrier Permit (FCP) which was needed to fly passengers in the American plane, or an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which he was required to obtain.

And during the trial Mr Goudie accused Henderson of lying in his statements to investigators, and of running a "cowboy outfit" after questioning the defendant over why he failed to keep basic information on his pilots.

In his closing speech, he claimed Henderson ran an "incompetent, undocumented and dishonest organisation".

But Stephen Spence QC, defending, said his client's actions were "purely a paperwork issue" and had not led to a likelihood of danger.

He said his client knew Mr Ibbotson, who had been flying for decades and had accumulated around 3,500 flying miles, was an experienced pilot, and that Mr Ibbotson, as pilot of that flight, had been in charge of ensuring their safe passage home.

He told the court the only difference between a commercial licence and the private licence held by Mr Ibbotson was whether you could carry passengers for money or not, and not about ability.

Henderson also argued on the stand that he had phoned Ms Keely after she forbade Mr Ibbotson from flying and convinced her to let him pilot again.

Ms Keely said she does not remember such a call.

Henderson, of Hotham in the East Riding of Yorkshire, had already admitted a separate offence of attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation.

Judge Mr Justice Foxton granted Henderson bail to return to be sentenced for both offences on November 12.

He faces maximum sentences of five years imprisonment for endangering the aircraft and two years for the lesser charge.

The flight took place just days after Cardiff signed Sala for £15m from Nantes.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch previously reported that Mr Ibbotson had been flying too fast for the plane's design limits and he lost control while trying to avoid bad weather.

A final manoeuvre to pull up the plane had caused it to break in mid-air.

The report added that Mr Ibbotson was probably affected by carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to investigators at the time, the pilot had no training in night flying, and a lack of recent practice in relying only on cockpit instruments to control the plane contributed to the crash.

Mr Ibbotson's body has never been found, but a private search did recover Sala's body from the seabed in February 2019.

Kate Staples, General Counsel at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: "Our thoughts remain with the families and friends that were affected by this accident in January 2019. Aviation safety relies upon the integrity of everyone involved in the industry. Unlawful and unsafe activity such as Mr Henderson's is unacceptable and the UK Civil Aviation Authority will always look to prosecute illegal activity."

Sala's family, represented by Daniel Machover of Hickman & Rose solicitors, welcomed the verdict but are still seeking further "key information", with an inquest set to take place next year.

"Mr Henderson's convictions are welcome and we hope the CAA will ensure that illegal flights of this kind are stopped," Mr Machover said.

The actions of David Henderson are only one piece in the puzzle of how the plane David Ibbotson was illegally flying came to crash into the sea on 21 January 2019.

"We still do not know the key information about the maintenance history of the aircraft and all the factors behind the carbon monoxide poisoning revealed in August 2019 by AAIB.

"The answers to these questions can only be properly established at Emiliano's inquest, which is due to start in February next year.

"The Sala family fervently hope that everyone involved in the inquest will provide full disclosure of material without further delay, including Piper Aircraft Inc and the AAIB. This should ensure that the inquest can fulfil its function of fully and fearlessly examining the evidence so that all the facts emerge. Only if that happens will Emiliano's family finally know the truth about this tragedy enabling all the lessons to be learned, so that no family goes through a similar preventable death."

Although this is the end of the trial with David Henderson, it is not the end of the legal arena concerning Emiliano Sala.

Graham Thomas explains that the dispute between Cardiff City and Nantes over the payment of the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala could continue for some time
There is an inquest to be held next February and Sala's family are expected to come over from Argentina to attend that.

There is also the ongoing dispute between Nantes and Cardiff over who is responsible for the payment of the £15m transfer fee.

Football's authorities - UEFA and FIFA - have both ruled on that already and said that Cardiff would have to pay that £15m. Cardiff have appealed that decision and it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport next year.

That may not be the end of the matter because recently, the Cardiff chairman, Mehmet Dalman, suggested at a supporters' meeting that even if Cardiff were not successful in that appeal, they may still pursue this matter through the French courts.

SKY

 

[MenInG]

The businessman who organised a flight that crashed, killing footballer Emiliano Sala, has been jailed for 18 months for endangering the safety of an aircraft.

David Henderson, 67, was convicted by a majority verdict of 10 to two at Cardiff Crown Court last month.

The plane carrying 28-year-old Sala crashed into the English Channel on the evening of 21 January 2019, killing the striker and pilot David Ibbotson, 59.

The player had been travelling to his new club, Cardiff City.

Henderson, a father-of-three and former RAF officer, had arranged the flight with football agent William 'Willie' McKay.

He had asked Mr Ibbotson to fly the plane as he was away on holiday in Paris with his wife.

Mr Ibbotson, who regularly flew for him, did not hold a commercial pilot's licence, a qualification to fly at night, and his rating to fly the single-engine Piper Malibu had expired.

Just moments after finding out the plane had gone down, Henderson texted a number of people telling them to stay silent - warning it would "open a can of worms".

He admitted in court he feared an investigation into his business dealings.

A lawyer representing the Sala family welcomed Henderson's convictions in a statement and said they hope the Civil Aviation Authority will make sure that "illegal flights of this kind are stopped".

"The actions of David Henderson are only one piece in the puzzle of how the plane David Ibbotson was illegally flying came to crash into the sea on 21 January 2019," said Daniel Machover.

"We still do not know the key information about the maintenance history of the aircraft and all the factors behind the carbon monoxide poisoning revealed in August 2019."

He said the answers to these questions can only be established at the inquest due to start in February next year, calling on Piper Aircraft and Air Accidents Investigation Branch to provide full disclosure of material without delay.

"This should ensure that the inquest can fulfil its function of fully and fearlessly examining the evidence so that all the facts emerge," he said.

"Only if that happens will Emiliano's family finally know the truth about this tragedy enabling all the lessons to be learned, so that no family goes through a similar preventable death."

Although this is the end of the trial with David Henderson, it is not the end of the legal arena concerning Emiliano Sala.

There is an inquest to be held next February and Sala's family are expected to come over from Argentina to attend that.

There is also the ongoing dispute between Nantes and Cardiff over who is responsible for the payment of the £15m transfer fee.

Football's authorities - UEFA and FIFA - have both ruled on that already and said that Cardiff would have to pay that £15m. Cardiff have appealed that decision and it will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport next year.

That may not be the end of the matter because recently, the Cardiff chairman, Mehmet Dalman, suggested at a supporters' meeting that even if Cardiff were not successful in that appeal, they may still pursue this matter through the French courts.

SKY

 

[MenInG]

The results of blood tests taken from the body of footballer Emiliano Sala showed he been overcome by toxic levels of carbon monoxide poisoning prior to his death in a plane crash, an inquest heard.

The Argentina-born striker was joining then Premier League club Cardiff City in a £15 million transfer from French Ligue 1 side Nantes.

Dorset Coroner's Court heard the 28-year-old was on a private plane travelling between Nantes and Cardiff on the evening of January 21, 2019 when it crashed in the English Channel close to Guernsey.

Also killed in the crash was pilot David Ibbotson, 59, whose body has never been found.

The inquest resumed on Tuesday having been adjourned a week ago for legal reasons.

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Last week, pathologist Dr Basil Purdue said Sala had died from severe head and chest injuries consistent with a plane crash. But prior to his death he had been overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning and would have been "deeply unconscious" at the point of impact with the sea, Dr Purdue said.

He said toxicological tests on samples of Sala's blood showed a carbon monoxide blood saturation level of 58%, which he described as "severe poisoning", and suggested the source was the plane's exhaust system.

Continuing his evidence, Dr Purdue said two blood samples were taken from Sala - one from the iliofemoral vein and a second from the cavity of Sala's torso.

The first blood sample was sent away for carbon monoxide testing and the second was used to confirm identity from DNA testing. The second sample was later sent to Canada for further testing.

Dr Purdue explained due to decomposition he was only able to take one blood sample from the iliofemoral vein and obtained blood for DNA testing from the cavity.

He said cavity blood was often contaminated and of "uncertain composition", and could not be relied upon for toxicological examination, although it was acceptable for DNA testing.

"It is not blood, it is blood with an unknown of other things - you are going to be misled," he said.

Dr Purdue said Mr Sala's body was in the process of decomposition when he carried out the post-mortem examination on February 7.

"If we had more blood, I would have taken more samples. The fact we only had one bottle is indicative of all we could get," he said.

Forensic examiner Katherine Baldwin told the inquest the cavity blood sample was stored in a Dorset Police freezer until it was sent off to Canada for testing.

She also confirmed the first sample had been destroyed by a forensic lab after being tested, even though it was part of an ongoing investigation.

The hearing was also told Sala smoked between one and five cigarettes a day, with four packets of cigarettes found in his South Wales hotel room after his death.

Detective Sergeant Sarah Gedge, of Dorset Police, said: "Mr Sala had some property in the room and there was a request from Mr Sala's agent regarding the cigarettes in his room and he was keen for that not to be disclosed to his family as he had not told them he smoked."

She said the cigarettes were found in a Christian Louboutin cloth shoe bag.

"We made contact with (Sala's agent) Meissa N'diaye today to confirm about Mr Sala and his smoking and he was able to tell us that Mr Sala smoked one to five cigarettes a day," she said.

"He had been smoking for a couple of years and his preferred brand was Lucky Strike Lights. He said he didn't have actual information himself and had spoken to someone else."

The officer also confirmed that Sala had completed a medical questionnaire as part of his transfer to Cardiff City in which he stated he did not smoke.

The inquest has heard the Piper Malibu aircraft had left Nantes airport at 7.15pm on January 21 for the flight to Cardiff but radar contact was lost at 8.15pm near Guernsey.

The aircraft was located on the seabed on February 3 and Sala's body was found in the wreckage three days later.

The inquest, which is taking place at the Town Hall in Bournemouth, is due to last around a month.

SKY

 

[MenInG]

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal filed by Cardiff City Football Club (Cardiff City FC) against Football Club de Nantes (FC Nantes) in relation to the decision issued by the Bureau of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on 25 September 2019
(the Challenged Decision).

The Challenged Decision, in which Cardiff City FC was ordered to pay
EUR 6 million to FC Nantes in connection with the transfer of the player Emiliano Sala between the clubs, is confirmed.

Cardiff City FC filed an appeal at the CAS on 20 November 2019.
Further to the initiation of the arbitration, the written proceedings were lengthy and were even suspended, at the parties’ request, and
with their mutual agreement, for several months.

In addition, on multiple occasions, the parties mutually agreed to extend the time limits for the filing of their written submissions. The parties also requested that the hearing be held in person, which it was not possible to do before the end of 2021.

The hearing finally took place on 3 and 4 March 2022. It was the first hearing to be held at the new CAS headquarters at the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne.

After taking into due consideration all the evidence produced and all the arguments put forward by both clubs, the CAS Panel found the Player’s transfer from FC Nantes to Cardiff City FC to have been
completed; and because the conditions set out in the Transfer Agreement were fulfilled prior to the Player’s death, FC Nantes’ claim for the first instalment of the transfer fee in the amount of
EUR 6 million was upheld.

The CAS proceedings only concern the first instalment of the transfer fee in the amount of EUR 6 million out of the total transfer fee of EUR 17 million. The other instalments were not due at the time of the
procedure before the FIFA instances. The CAS Panel also confirmed that it was not for FIFA to entertain the claim of Cardiff City that it was not required to pay any transfer fee to FC Nantes, because FC Nantes
could be liable for the Player’s death and that such tort claim was to be set off against any payment obligation with respect to the transfer fee.

The 78-page Arbitral Award is currently subject to a confidentiality review. According to the outcome of such review, the Arbitral Award may be published on the CAS website at a later date.

 

[MenInG]

This is the last time footballer Emiliano Sala is seen alive, as he boards a private plane that would crash and kill him on his way to the UK.

The footage shows, for the first time, the Cardiff-bound striker about to board a small plane from France to Wales, which crashed in January 2019.

In exclusive audio, also obtained by the BBC, its pilot, David Ibbotson, is heard before the flight saying "I'll be wearing my life jacket" on the journey.

He told a friend the plane was "dodgy".

Argentine footballer Sala had just become then Premier League side Cardiff City's £15m record signing from French club Nantes when the plane crashed into the English Channel.

He was flown by Mr Ibbotson - a part-time pilot who didn't have a licence to carry paying passengers - back to western France to say his goodbyes and collect some belongings.

He flew to Nantes on Saturday, 19 January, and planned to return on the Monday - the day of the crash.

Audio of a telephone call to a fellow pilot has been exclusively obtained by the BBC, revealing for the first time the technical difficulties Mr Ibbotson had on the journey to France.

In it, he says he heard "a bang" during the flight and complained that he could feel a "very low mist" inside the 35-year-old Piper Malibu plane.

"I'm mid-Channel and 'bang'," Mr Ibbotson told friend, Kevin Jones, about his flight to Nantes.

"I'm flying along and then 'boom'. I thought, 'what's wrong?' So I put everything forward and checked my parameters, everything was good and it was still flying, but it got your attention."

He added: "That Malibu, occasionally you've got like a mist every so often. You can feel it, very, very low throughout the airframe."

Mr Ibbotson, 59, said he also realised the Piper Malibu's left brake pedal wasn't working after landing at Nantes Atlantique Airport. "This aircraft has got to go back in the hanger," he told his friend.

The conversation was accidentally recorded and has since been obtained by the BBC's Transfer: The Emiliano Sala Story podcast.

Ahead of the flight back to Cardiff, Mr Ibbotson added: "Normally I'd have my life jacket between my seats but tomorrow I'll be wearing my life jacket."

The only two people on the plane were Emiliano Sala and Mr Ibbotson, from Crowle, in North Lincolnshire, whose body has never been found.

'Man, I'm scared'
The footballer had also expressed his fears about the aircraft in a voice note sent to his closest friends as the plane was taxiing on the runway at Nantes Atlantique Airport.

The player told them, "man, I'm scared" and that the plane he was on "looks like it's falling apart". "I don't know if someone will look for me because they won't find me," Mr Sala told his friends about a potential crash.

Cardiff City FC had offered their new signing a commercial flight, via Paris, but he wanted more time to say goodbye to friends and team-mates in Nantes before returning to Wales for his first training session with his new club.

So Willie McKay, the man who helped broker the transfer, chartered a private flight - directly between Nantes and Cardiff - through another pilot, David Henderson.

Because Henderson couldn't undertake the request, he called in Mr Ibbotson.

The Argentine did not know Mr Ibbotson wasn't qualified to fly him on that fateful night. The gas fitter was only an amateur pilot and did not have a licence to carry paying passengers or to legally fly in the dark.

About an hour after take-off from runway three, in Nantes, Piper Malibu N264DB lost radar contact over the English Channel, and air and sea rescues were launched.

The plane had been flying at 5,000ft but the pilot lost control while descending to avoid clouds and ditched into the English Channel, just north of the Channel Islands, at an estimated 270mph (434kph).

Air accident investigators found the footballer would have been "deeply unconscious" from carbon monoxide poisoning and that the pilot would have probably been affected too.

The player's body was recovered from the wreckage when it was discovered 68m (223ft) below the English Channel, two weeks after the crash. Plane N264DB was left on the seabed.

bbc

Henderson, who arranged the flight, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for recklessly endangering the safety of an aircraft in the way he organised the trip and using a plane commercially without permission.

 

[MenInG]

Cardiff City tried to take out £20m insurance on Emiliano Sala the day after he was killed in a plane crash, say papers filed to the High Court.

Sala's plane crashed into the English Channel on 21 January 2019, killing the striker and pilot David Ibbotson.

A company of insurance brokers said the club failed to get cover before Sala's plane went down in January 2019.

Cardiff City bosses are seeking damages of more than £10m from insurance brokers following the death.

Argentine player Sala, 28, was on a private flight from Nantes as he travelled to take up his new role with the club then in the Premier League.

But the club have been unable to claim back the money paid for Sala after insurers refused to pay out.

Cardiff City FC is suing insurance broker Miller Insurance LLP claiming it owes more than £10m in a High Court bid.

The club says the firm failed to say players would not be covered if they were not "timely informed" of new signings such as their new star striker.

BBC

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City suing football agent Willie McKay five years after plane disaster


Cardiff City are suing football agent Willie McKay in order to gain information about his involvement in the Emiliano Sala transfer in 2019.

Sala was due to complete a club record move to Cardiff from Nantes during the January transfer window that year but tragically died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel.

Sky Sports News has previously reported that McKay and his son arranged the private plane for Sala.

In June 2023, Cardiff launched legal proceedings against Nantes in France, where they are seeking damages for the transfer.

According to a source close to the case, Cardiff also argue that they would have avoided relegation if Sala had played for the club and are seeking damages for losses in revenue from the relegation.

As part of the proceedings in France, Nantes claim that McKay had no involvement in the transfer, which Cardiff dispute.

Sky Sports News understands that Cardiff have brought litigation against McKay in the UK courts in order to ascertain McKay's exact involvement in the transfer, with a source adding that the organisation of the flight took place while Sala was still employed by Nantes.

According to court documents seen by Sky Sports News, Cardiff claim that McKay was not a registered agent in 2019 but he had "frequent discussion over the terms of the transfer and Franck Kita (CEO FC Nantes) forwarded confidential transfer negotiations to Willie McKay".

Documents also add that McKay arranged Sala's private plane and Cardiff claim that McKay, acting as Nantes' agent, arranged the flight negligently. Following Sala's death, it emerged that the flight was unlawful and its operator, David Henderson, did not hold the required licence.

This case will be heard in Cardiff in February.

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City suing football agent Willie McKay five years after plane disaster

Emiliano Sala tragically died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel in 2019; He was due to complete a club record move to Cardiff from Nantes in January that year; Cardiff are suing agent Willie McKay in order to gain information about his involvement in the transfer

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