MX23RW : Monday, February 11 17:08:30
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Fellow players pay tribute to footballer Emiliano Sala

Fellow players pay tribute to footballer Emiliano Sala
© Reuters
The body of the Cardiff City player was formally identified on Thursday.

Fellow footballing stars have paid tribute to Emiliano Sala after his body was recovered from the English Channel and formally identified.

News of the striker's death came almost three weeks after his plane crashed en route from Nantes, France, to Cardiff.

The 28-year-old had only completed the details of his transfer to Cardiff City – for a club record £15 million – two days before the crash.

The club said in a statement: "We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.

"He and David will forever remain in our thoughts."

Despite not getting the chance to play for Cardiff, several of his new team-mates shared their sadness at the news of his death.

Joe Bennett said simply: "RIP Emiliano", alongside several heart emojis, while Sol Bamba described the news as "tragic".

Oumar Niasse tweeted: "‏RIP @EmilianoSala1 Forever in our thoughts".

Diego Maradona, who was among those to call on authorities not to give up trying to find the footballer, posted a tribute on Instagram.

He told how many had kept a "light of hope" for the footballer, adding: "I send a big hug to your family and friends".

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero‏, a fellow Argentinian, tweeted: "Rest in peace, Emiliano. My condolences to his friends and family #PrayForSala", while former Nantes team-mate Gabriel Boschilia said on Instagram it had been a pleasure to play alongside Sala.

The light aircraft was piloted by David Ibbotson, who has not been found.

Arsenal player Mesut Ozil‏ wrote: "No words to describe how sad this is. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and also to the family of the pilot. #RIPsala".

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy tweeted an image of Sala, while Paris Saint-Germain footballer Kylian Mbappe wrote simply: "RIP EMI".

Football clubs across the world also shared messages of tribute, with Barcelona tweeting: "Rest in peace", while Independiente, the Argentine club Sala supported, posted words of solidarity for the player's family and friends.

Argentina's president Mauricio Macri – who had joined calls for the search for the plane to be resumed after it was called off – also posted on Twitter, sending his condolences to Sala's family, adding: "We are with you".


Emiliano Sala plane disappearance - Click here for more stories

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Emiliano Sala in action for Nantes in late 2017
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2511593332138
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2566132133-1224
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411

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