TRIBUTES have poured in for Emiliano Sala on the one-year anniversary of from his death – as a WhatsApp message sent by the striker days before he died emerged saying he “felt forced out” by Nantes.
The Argentine striker was killed in a plane crash at the age of 28 as he travelled to new club Cardiff after completing a £15million move.
Tributes to Emiliano Sala were laid at the Cardiff City Stadium a year on from his deathCredit: PA:Press Association
Fans flocked to the ground to pay tribute to their £15m signingCredit: PA:Press Association
Sala was killed in a plane crash on route to Cardiff from NantesCredit: AFP
Fans left flowers and notes as a mark of respect a year onCredit: PA:Press Association
Sala was aboard this Piper Malibu aircraft on his way to WalesCredit: PA:Press Association
Fans turned out in droves to mark this anniversary of Sala’s deathCredit: PA:Press Association
A year on, a tragic WhatsApp message sent by Sala has come to light in which the tragic forward claimed he felt he was “not respected” at the Ligue 1 club, according to the BBC.
Nantes refused to comment on the message, supposedly sent by Sala to a friend of his.
In the voice note, the Argentine reportedly also claimed he asked for a contract extension FOUR times, only to be rebuffed.
The BBC claim Sala’s message read: “They don’t respect me, they don’t value me.
“I haven’t made a decision… I went to get some information from this club that wants me and wants to value me for what I’m worth.
“I’m going to be 29 this year so I have to think about it.”
But today, a year on from the horror plane crash – which may have been caused by carbon monoxide poisoning – tributes have poured in from across the globe.
Cardiff released a statement on behalf of the board which read: “All of our thoughts are with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala and (pilot) David Ibbotson.
“The pain they have been through over the last 12 months must be indescribable.
“To mark the anniversary we are welcoming supporters to lay floral tributes at the Fred Keenor Statue throughout the day.”
Flowers, posters, letters and scarves were all laid at the Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday morning to pay their respects.
MEMORIAL SERVICE
One T-shirt read: “Forever a Bluebird”.
Another supporter wore a club kit with the name “Emiliano Raul Sala Taffarel” across the back.
There will also be a service at Cardiff Cathedral later on Tuesday to remember both Sala and pilot Ibbotson, 59.
Meanwhile, the Sala family decided to spend the day in “private, quiet contemplation”, according to their solicitor.
Lawyer Daniel Machover said: “The Sala family will mark the anniversary of the untimely death of Emiliano in private, quiet contemplation of their loss.
“The family’s primary concern remains for the full inquest to take place as soon as possible, so that they can finally learn the truth about what happened and ensure that no family has to suffer a similar preventable loss of a loved one.
“Therefore, in the run-up to the pre-inquest review hearing on 16 March 2020, it is imperative that the coroner receives by 14 February 2020 (and then promptly shares with the family) the update required by the coroner from all investigating bodies – the police, CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch)
“The CAA in particular must speed up its work.”
Former club Nantes has decided to pay their own tribute to Sala by wearing an “Argentina-style” kit for their game against Bordeaux this coming Sunday.
The strip will feature the famous light blue and white stripes of Sala’s nation – with a number of star players, including Kylian Mbappe, helping with the launch.
Supporters laid scarves, posters and banners at the stadium as they paid tributeCredit: PA:Press Association
Fans paid tribute to Emiliano Sala as his family said they would spend the day in ‘quiet contemplation’Credit: PA:Press Association
It has been a year to the day since the plane carrying Sala crashed over the ChannelCredit: PA:Press Association
During the launch, Mbappe held up a handwritten sign which read: “Forever in our memories”.
Elsewhere, Cardiff and Nantes are still locked in a battle regarding the unpaid transfer fee for Sala.
A new book has been released posing the six key questions about the crash that still need answering.
Emiliano Sala and pilot were exposed to carbon monoxide in cockpit before it crashed in Channel
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
