PROGRESO, Argentina (AFP) - The coffin of footballer Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash between Nantes and Cardiff, arrived in Argentina on Friday (Feb 15) ahead of his funeral in his hometown of Progreso.
The British Airways flight carrying the body landed shortly after 9am (8pm Singapore time) at Buenos Aires airport.
A van waited to drive it to funeral ceremonies in northeastern Santa Fe, the capital of Santa Fe province, before it is returned to the family for final rites on Saturday.
“This is a day of historic grief for Progreso. We could never have imagined this, we are all in a state of shock,†said Daniel Ribero, president of the San Martin de Progreso club, where Sala played for 10 years.
Sala’s body was recovered from the plane wreckage in the English Channel last week. He was flying to his new team, English Premier League side Cardiff City, from his old French club Nantes when his plane went missing on Jan 21.
The 28-year-old died of “head and trunk injuries,†an inquest in England heard on Monday.
He was travelling in a light aircraft that disappeared near the British island of Guernsey.
Â
The wreckage was found on the seabed but 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.
Nantes gave Sala a rousing send off on Sunday, playing a French league match in a special all black kit for the occasion, with each player wearing the Argentine’s name on the back of their jersey rather than their own.
Sala’s wake is due to begin at 7am on Saturday with most of Progreso’s 3,000 inhabitants expected to pay their respects by laying a flower on the coffin.
The wake will take place in the San Martin club’s gym before Sala’s body is transported to a crematorium in Santa Fe.
“The last time he came here, during the World Cup in Russia, he asked to join us for our barbecue at the club,†said Ribeiro, pointing to Sala’s humility and simplicity.
Representatives of Nantes and Cardiff will attend Sala’s funeral. The two clubs are locked in a dispute over whether Cardiff should pay Sala’s 17 million euro (S$26 million) transfer fee.
Sala’s fame in Progreso cannot be overstated.
The son of a truck driver and housewife, he made his senior debut for the local club at just 15.
“He was a wisp, skinny, he was only 15 but you could tell he had a future, he loved to train,†said Daniel Demonte, the reserve team coach at San Martin.
“While his friends went for a barbecue, he went for a run.†Demonte said Sala’s greatest dream had been to play in the English Premier League, something that seemed about to become a reality.
Sala was “the club’s pride and joy,†said fan Alexis Lovato.
“Last year he went to watch the kids at training, he was generous.
“He never forgot where he came from. He could have chosen other destinations around the world but he came back to Progreso whenever he could.â€
Cardiff City 1-2 Chelsea, RESULT: Blues come from behind to seal highly controversial stoppage time win to boost Premier League top four hopes Victor Camarasa opened scoring in opening minute of
How Premier League Title Race And Top-Four Battle Will Be
Cardiff players afraid to fly after Emiliano Sala tragedy, reveals captain Sol Bamba. Proud Neil Warnock says his Cardiff players put on a performance for the missing Emiliano Sala at the
EPL: Sol Bamba dedicates goal to Emiliano Sala, Richarlison
Former England star Wayne Rooney scored three goals on Saturday night to lead DC United to a crushing 5-0 victory over Real Salt Lake. Rooney bags first MLS hat-trick in DC romp.
Watch: Rooney bags first MLS hat trick in DC United romp
Iwobi, Lacazette lead Arsenal to win at Huddersfield : The
Real Madrid's harrowing season came to a fittingly miserable end on Sunday as they slumped to a staggering 12th La Liga defeat, losing 2-0 at home to Real Betis as many fans left the stadium early
Champions League: Real Madrid's European reign ends with
Emery wary of Valencia's recovery potential in 2nd leg. Ex-Barca great Xavi to go into coaching. Landmark decision opens 'Pandora's box' premium. Semenya victimised, vilified for who she is.
Unai Emery insists Arsenal will attack Valencia in second leg
Football: Rafael Benítez fumes as Wolves deny Newcastle with another stoppage-time equaliser LONDON (THE GUARDIAN) - Rafael Benítez must hate it when the fourth official holds up the board for added time against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Rafael Benítez fumes after Wolves deny Newcastle with
Football: Pogba deletes cryptic post of him smiling after
A host of big-name footballers are behind a campaign to raise money for a private search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala The campaign has raised £130,000 from almost 2,000 people in just a
Football: PSG thrash Dijon in first outing since Champions
Claudio Ranieri meets the press for the the third time in three days this afternoon at Motspur Park as he previews Fulham's trip to Manchester United. The Cottagers played out a 1-1 draw with the Italian's former side Leicester City on Wednesday night, where Aboubakar Kamara put his side ahead before James Maddison equalised with just 16
Fulham appoint Ranieri after sacking Jokanovic - Newspaper
0 comments:
Post a Comment