February 8 – The body recovered from the wreckage of the light aircraft carrying Emiliano Sala to his new club Cardiff City, which tragically plunged into the English Channel, is that of the Argentine-born footballer, police have confirmed.
With the official investigation called off, a privately funded underwater search had begun last weekend, several days after two seat cushions were washed up on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft piloted by David Ibbotson.
Cardiff signed the 28-year-old Sala for a club-record fee, reported to be £15 million, from Nantes on January 19. The forward was on his way back to his new club after collecting his belongings but never made it.
“The body brought to Portland port has been formally identified by HM coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala,” Dorset police said.
“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.”
Cardiff said in a statement: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano. He and David will for ever remain in our thoughts.”
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