Cardiff City players and fans honour new signing
CARDIFF City’s players paid a wonderful tribute to Emiliano Sala after Bobby Reid’s penalty put the Bluebirds 1-0 up against Bournemouth.
Captain Sol Bamba ushered the players towards the Cardiff bench immediately after the goal was scored in the fifth minute, with Reid grabbing a T-shirt bearing an image of Sala and holding it aloft.
It was a touching moment in a stadium that had witnessed earlier tributes to Sala ahead of kick-off.
Fans honoured missing striker Sala and pilot David Ibbotson with a moment of reflection – which was observed in impeccable silence.
Bluebirds supporters also held up a mosaic display in the USW Stand bearing Sala’s name and a banner that read “Emiliano, our beautiful Bluebird” was on on display as it was before the Arsenal clash. Fans took it around the ground in front of the Canton Stand before the players emerged.
Bamba and Bournemouth captain Andrew Surman had laid flowers in the centre circle, with players visibly moved by the tributes.
Cardiff fans sang the striker’s name and the players wore embroidered daffodils on their shirts – after the home stars had warmed up in the special T-shirts.
It came as Cardiff owner Vincent Tan, along with chairman Mehmet Dalman, chief executive Ken Choo and the club’s board of directors, released an emotional statement in the pre-match programme.
It said: “The news we received 12 days ago shook Cardiff City Football Club to its very core. Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson remain missing and during this most testing and
emotional time, we continue to pray for them and their families.
“We have been profoundly moved by the good will and love that the football world has shared in support of our club, FC Nantes and the families of the missing men.
“The game of football is founded on competition and rivalry but, at times like this, the spirit of humanity and unity comes to the fore. We feel it and we thank everybody for their well-wishes.
“Emiliano’s desire to succeed at Cardiff City Football Club was palpable. He was eager to become a Bluebird, play in front of our supporters and contribute to the efforts of our team with goals, work-rate and enthusiasm.
“Emiliano is not with us this afternoon. But we are playing for him and David.”