The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Emiliano Sala family launch High Court legal action over his death
The family of footballer Emiliano Sala have instigated legal action over his death in an air crash two years ago.
Lawyers for the family said the High Court action has been started in order to “protect their legal rights”.
The single-engine Piper Malibu plane carrying the 28-year-old Argentinian, who was involved in a multimillion-pound transfer from FC Nantes in France to Cardiff City FC, crashed north of Guernsey on January 21, 2019.
His body was recovered the following month, but the aircraft’s unqualified pilot, David Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, has not been found.
David Henderson, who is alleged to have arranged the flight, is due to stand trial in October accused of endangering the safety of an aircraft, as well as attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation.
Details of High Court action emerged before a pre-inquest review was due to take place in Bournemouth, Dorset, into the footballer’s death.
Lawyer Daniel Machover said: “The family of Emiliano Sala are asking the coroner to fix the inquest date when she reviews matters, with a date soon after the trial of David Henderson, which has been fixed for October 18, 2021.
“In the meantime, in order to protect their legal rights and remedies arising from Emiliano’s untimely death, the family have commenced civil proceedings, but will seek agreement to stay those proceedings pending the outcome of the inquest.”