Clubs in the top flight will honour Sala

THE Premier League has confirmed black armbands will be worn in memory of Emiliano Sala this weekend.

Sala was travelling from Nantes to Cardiff in a light aircraft piloted by David Ibbotson when their plane went missing over the English Channel on January 21.

The player’s body was recovered on Wednesday night following the discovery of the plane on Sunday.

Dorset Police subsequently confirmed the identification on Thursday night.

As well every Premier League term wearing a black armband, the match between Southampton and Cardiff City today will be preceded by a minute’s silence in memory of the Argentine.

The league said ina statement: “Black armbands will be worn by all teams at Premier League matches this weekend in honour of Emiliano Sala.

“A minute’s silence will also be held at the Southampton v Cardiff City match.”

Speaking yesterday, Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said he hoped the recovery and identification of the player’s body would bring peace and comfort to his family as they continued to grieve.

He said: “Emiliano was a really nice lad. That would be my memory of him. He was at his prime, he had things to prove.

“He had been in a comfort zone in France but he had improved every year for the past few years. I thought he was ready.

“He was a little bit fearful of the challenge ahead but he knew he had to try and make that step.

“I thought he could score goals in the Premier League.”