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Football

23rd Jan 2019

Guernsey Police prioritising theory that missing Emiliano Sala used life raft

Wayne Farry

The update was made by Guernsey Police shortly after the resumption of the search for the plane containing missing Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala

Guernsey Police have released their first update on the continued search for the missing plane on which Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala was a passenger.

Posting the update on social media at 9.30, the Guernsey Police Twitter account said that their search was based on four possibilities:

1. They have landed elsewhere but not made contact.

2. They landed on water, have been picked up by a passing ship but not made contact.

3. They landed on water and made it into the life raft we know was on board.

4. The aircraft broke up on contact with the water, leaving them in the sea.

The search for the plane, which went missing over the Channel Islands while flying from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, was suspended on Tuesday evening before resumed on Wednesday morning.

Cardiff City confirmed on Tuesday that their striker was on board the plane, which he boarded after attending to matters at his former club and bidding farewell to his teammates.

Earlier that day Guernsey police confirmed that no trace had been found of the plane overnight.

Cardiff City FC Executive Director & CEO Ken Choo said: “We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing. We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team.

“Our owner, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and chairman, Mehmet Dalman, are all very distressed about the situation.

“We made the decision first thing this morning to call off training with the thoughts of the squad, management staff and the entire Club with Emiliano and the pilot.

“All of us at Cardiff City FC would like to thank our fans, and the entire footballing family for their support at this difficult time.

 “We continue to pray for positive news.”