Tributes paid to Emiliano Sala on the first anniversary of his death
Cardiff management, players and supporters have paid tribute to Emiliano Sala on the first anniversary of the striker's death.
The Argentinian forward died on January 21, 2019 when the plane carrying him from Nantes in France to his new club Cardiff crashed in the English Channel near Guernsey.
The footballer's body was recovered from the wreckage, but pilot David Ibbotson, from Crowle, North Lincolnshire, has still not been found.
Bluebirds manager Neil Harris, captain Sean Morrison and Sol Bamba were among those to attend a dedication service to Sala and Ibbotson at St David's Cathedral in Cardiff city centre on Tuesday afternoon.
The flag of Argentina was placed inside the cathedral and its national anthem played as tributes and prayers were led by Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack, while Canon Peter Collins, a former administrator at the cathedral, gave two readings in Spanish.
Supporters arrived at the Cardiff City Stadium throughout the morning to pay tribute to Sala.
Fans left flowers, banners and shirts in memory of Sala, who was unveiled as a Cardiff player two days before his death.
One tribute read: "We never saw you play and we never saw you score but Emiliano our beautiful Bluebird we will love you forever more."
A floral tribute quoted Sala's own words, saying: "I know the challenge is big but together we will make it." The message added: "Forever in our hearts."
An Argentinian flag was laid next to the Fred Keenor Statue, with the name 'Sala' written on it.
Cardiff expressed their sympathy to the friends and family of Sala on their official website.
"All of our thoughts are with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala and (pilot) David Ibbotson," said a Cardiff club statement on behalf of the owner Vincent Tan and the board.
"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."
Nantes, for whom Sala scored 42 goals in 120 league games during three-and-a-half years at the club, will wear a special commemorative shirt at the Ligue 1 home game against Bordeaux on Sunday.
"Because he dreamed of the Albiceleste (Argentina national team), the players will swap their yellow shirt for one inspired by his home country," Nantes said on their official club website.
"All the proceeds from sales of this shirt will be allocated to the two Argentinian clubs (Club San Martin de Progreso and Proyecto Crecer) where Emiliano began his career."
Nantes, who have already retired Sala's number nine shirt, will unveil a canvas of him in the centre-circle before kick-off against Bordeaux, another of his former clubs, while a special fan banner and a minute's applause is also planned.
