Sala – Argentinian footballer dies at 28

After playing youth football in Argentina and following a short spell in Portugal’s regional leagues, Sala began his professional career in France with Bordeaux, making his professional debut in February 2012. In 2015, he signed for Nantes on a permanent basis. With Nantes, he made more than 100 appearances in Ligue 1, and achieved a successful goalscoring record, finishing as the club’s top goalscorer for three consecutive seasons. His form prompted a move to Cardiff City in January 2019, for a club record fee of £15 million (€18 million).

Sala died in a plane crash off Alderney on 21 January 2019. He was flying from Nantes to Cardiff aboard a Piper Malibu light aircraft. An initial three-day search covered 1,700 square miles (4,400 km 2 ) across the English Channel. Two subsequent private searches were launched, resulting in the discovery of the wreckage on 3 February; Sala’s body was recovered four days later.

Caen and Nantes paid tribute to their former striker Emiliano Sala during their Ligue 1 match
on 13 th February. The players warmed up in t-shirts with the slogan “Play for Sala”, while each Caen player’s shirt had the striker’s name on the back.

A minute’s applause was held in the 14th minute, Sala’s squad number at Caen. There was also a pre-match video tribute and commemorative programme.