Cardiff chief calls for Sala search to resume

Argentina’s president Mauricio Macri has also told his foreign minister to issue formal requests to Britain and France for search efforts to be resumed, according to a statement from the premier’s office on Friday.

“We still hope that the search mission can continue and we could locate Emiliano,” Choo told reporters outside the Cardiff City Stadium on Friday as he and other club staff laid flowers where tributes to Sala have been placed.

“After the news yesterday that the search had been called off, I think it’s right for the staff and all of us to lay some flowers and do some prayers for his safe return.”

Messi, writing on his Instagram story, said: “As long as there are still possibilities, a hint of hope, we ask you please continue to look for Emiliano.

“I send all my strength and support to his family and friends. #PrayforSala.”

Another Argentinian football superstar, 1986 World Cup winner Maradona, also posted on Instagram pleading for the search to continue, with the message: “Hope never dies.”

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero,used the social media hashtag #NoDejenDeBuscar – “do not stop searching”.

On Friday evening a GoFundMe page to raise funds for resumption of the search had passed £57,000, with the Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan amongst the donors.

Nantes reacted with anger at the decision to formally call off the search for Sala’s missing plane as the striker’s sister begged rescue workers to keep looking for it.

An emotional Romina Sala, speaking in Spanish, told reporters in Cardiff that she feels her brother and his pilot are still alive.

Ms Sala travelled to south Wales after a light aircraft carrying her brother and the pilot disappeared from radar on Monday night.

Guernsey’s harbour master Captain David Barker earlier confirmed the “difficult” decision to end the search, saying the chances of survival were “extremely remote”.

The single-turbine engine Piper PA-46 Malibu left Nantes for Cardiff at 7.15pm on Monday, and after requesting to descend, lost contact with Jersey air traffic control.

Cardiff signed 28-year-old Sala for a club-record fee to bolster their attack and he had been due to start training on Tuesday.

Nantes, for whom Sala played for three and a half years before sealing a move to the Premier League, said on Twitter: “FC Nantes has learnt that the search for the missing plane was called off. This search mustn’t stop, @GuernseyPolice

“The club and its supporters strongly ask for the search to find @EmilianoSala1 to go on, for his family and his near relatives. Together for Emi ! #PrayForSala.”

A number of Sala’s former team-mates also urged rescue workers to continue looking, Nantes captain Valentin Rongier tweeting: “The search can not stop! Help us encourage the police to continue searching. We need everyone. Let’s fight as Emi does all the time, please. #PrayforSala @GuernseyPolice.”

Another Argentinian player, Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi, said: “I’d like to express my sympathies to Emiliano’s family, and urge the police to keep searching for the plane. There’s still hope to find them alive. All my support to his family, and let’s hope they get an answer urgently.”

The Premier League has said there will be a “moment of silent reflection” ahead of games next week.

Cardiff’s players will wear yellow daffodils on their shirts at Arsenal on Tuesday in respect of Sala.

“It’s a flower of Wales and it’s yellow (the colours of FC Nantes),” Choo said.

“It has significance to Nantes and we feel for FC Nantes, the fans and players as well.

“They definitely know Emiliano more than we do, I think it’s tougher for them and we do send our prayers.”

Nantes coach Vahid Halilhodzic was visibly emotional as he paid tribute to Sala in an interview with reporters at the club’s training ground, describing him as a “real warrior”.

“We have to respect the decision of the family who, for the moment, have had no confirmation, so hope still exists,” he said.

“We are still waiting for a surprise. I hope that arrives very soon.

“It is for that reason that we do not want to hold either a tribute to him or a minute’s silence.”

Captain Barker acknowledged Sala’s family were “not content” with the decision to stop actively searching, but said he was “absolutely confident” no more could have been done and that UK coastguard protocols were followed.

He said he hoped the families of the missing pair found some comfort in the incident remaining open, despite searches ceasing.

Mr Barker said the plane was last known to be near Hurd’s Deep, an underwater valley north-west of the Channel Islands, which could make recovery of a wreckage very difficult.

Sala’s WhatsApp recordings sent from the aircraft may be used in investigation into the events and the weather may have played a role in the crash, Mr Barker added.

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