News that Cardiff City’s record signing Emiliano Sala was on board small plane that went missing has greatly shocked the football world.
Nantes’ fans are set to take to the streets of their city tonight to pay tribute to 28-year-old forward with tulips.
“Let’s get together in numbers, this evening from 6:30pm, Place Royale.
“We’ll express our thoughts for Emiliano, the other passengers and those close to them by leaving yellow tulips at the foot of the fountain.”
Retrouvons-nous nombreux, ce soir à partir de 18:30, Place royale.
Exprimons une pensée pour Emiliano, les autres passagers et leurs proches en déposant des tulipes jaunes au pied de la fontaine. pic.twitter.com/1FgytEyhWu— A la nantaise (@a_la_nantaise) January 22, 2019
Hopes of Finding Sala alive are all but fading with reports that all the passengers on board the plane he was in might actually be all dead.
There are currently two planes, two helicopters and a lifeboat searching for the aircraft yet no traces of it has been seen
Conditions during the search last night were challenging, with wave heights of up to two metres, with heavy rain showers and poor visibility.
Cardiff City Supporters Trust chairman Keith Morgan has released a statement on events.
“We know very little about Sala, but the fans were excited about him joining and the prospect of seeing him play. Football takes a back seat at times like this,” he said.
“From my perspective I can say I’ve already been contacted by dozens of people from other supporters trusts to see how they can help. The football family gathers together at times like these.
“It’s a strange situation because Sala never played for Cardiff City. Tragically it seems the chance he would have had to do that has been taken from him.
“The club will pay tribute in time and I think the game with Arsenal next week will take place.
“We will liaise with the club as we have a close working relationship with Mehmet Dalman and Ken Choo over what will happen next.
“It’s just shock and very difficult to absorb at the moment.
“I’ve been a football fan all my life and I often tell my wife I love it more than her. But at times like this, football doesn’t matter at all. We are thinking of Sala and his family.
“We will try to contact FC Nantes because we don’t know much about him as a person or whether he has a family.
“They are what’s most important news. It’s just horrific and news like this makes you think about your priorities in life.”