Our infinite sadness...family grief after they identify Sala
THE devastated family of Emiliano Sala paid an emotional tribute to the footballer yesterday after identifying his body.
Cardiff City’s £15million signing, 28, was recovered from the wreckage of a plane in the English Channel on Wednesday.
Rescuers have yet to find British pilot David Ibbotson, 59.
Sala’s family said that it was with “infinite sadness” that they had identified his body.
In a statement they added: “We would like to thank you for all your signs of affection and support in what is the most painful time of our lives.
“Seeing the whole world mobilised to support us in our research to find the wreckage has been an infinitely precious help. Thanks to you, we are now able to mourn our son, our brother.
“Our thoughts go to David Ibbotson and his family, hoping that the authorities will do their best to find him.” Sala’s sister Romina said of him: “Your soul in my soul, it will shine for ever, thus illuminating the time of my existence. I love you, tito.”
Cardiff and Sala’s old club Nantes also paid tributes to the Argentine.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said: “He was a very good lad, a really nice lad. That would be my memory of him.”
Nantes said: “Emiliano will forever be part of the legends that have written the great story of FC Nantes.”
Having signed for a Cardiff record fee, Sala was travelling to Wales in a light aircraft which vanished north of Guernsey on January 21. He was returning after bidding farewell to former teammates at Nantes
Shortly after Dorset Police confirmed Sala’s identification on Thursday night, Cardiff City said: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.”
Some of the club’s players also reacted on Twitter yesterday.
Full-back Joe Bennett wrote “RIP Emiliano”. FORMER EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook yesterday said she would still be “doing 11 bags” of cocaine a day if she had the money.
During an emotional appearance on The Jeremy Kyle Show, Danniella, 45, admitted she was still taking the drug every week.
Danniella, who played Samantha Mitchell in EastEnders, has fought drug problems for years.
She told Kyle: “If I had the money, I would be back to where I used to be, doing 11 bags a day. I’ll be honest.”
She later said Kyle helped send her on a rehab course.