Footballer Emiliano Sala’s body formally identified

Dorset Police say the body recovered from a plane in the English Channel is that of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala.

A body recovered from the wreckage of a plane that crashed in the English Channel is unloaded at Weymouth harbour on Thursday. It has been identified as that of Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP

Police say the body ­recovered from a plane that crashed in the English Channel was that of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala.

Dorset police said a coroner had formally identified the body, recovered from the seabed wreckage of the plane on Wednesday, as that of Sala.

Sala, who had just signed with Premier League club Cardiff, and pilot David Ibbotson were the only people aboard the small aircraft that disappeared over the channel last month.

“The body brought to Portland Port today has been formally identified … as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala,” Dorset Police said. “The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news … Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.”

Investigators have not been able to recover the aircraft, which was flying from Nantes to Cardiff after Sala transferred from the French city’s team. An initial search-and-rescue operation failed to find the plane but it was later discovered by the Air Accident Investigation Branch and privately funded teams.

After the confirmation of Sala’s death, Cardiff issued a statement: “He and David will forever remain in our thoughts.” The Argentine Football Association also expressed its condolences on Twitter: “Profound pain over the death of Emiliano Sala. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.”

AP