Neil Warnock in tears: The Cardiff City manager couldn’t contain his emotions as he thanked the fans after the side’s win against Bournemouth.
The last few days have been painful for footballing world and the two clubs, Nantes and Cardiff City in particular.
Emiliano Sala, the Argentinian forward who transferred from Nantes to the Premier League side in the January transfer window, hasn’t been found after his aircraft went missing on Monday last week.
The aircraft lost signal at around 8:30 PM, and a search for Sala and the pilot began immediately. However, an official search was called off on Thursday after a detailed statement suggested that the possibilities of survival were ‘remote’.
His family accumulated sufficient funds through a GoFundMe campaign to kickstart a private rescue and recovery operation, which will begin this weekend.
Earlier this week, the AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) confirmed that two plane-seat cushions have been found on a beach in France which could be from Sala’s aircraft. An underwater search is scheduled to begin this weekend.
Meanwhile, Cardiff City paid tribute to Emiliano Sala in their first home game since the incident. The side defeated Bournemouth in a stunning result, and the manager Neil Warnock found it hard to contain his emotions.
Neil Warnock said he just wanted to get to the end of the game today…
And there was a pure release of emotion when that moment came 💙 pic.twitter.com/FjX2NX6IFy
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 2, 2019
Earlier, Bobby Reid opened the goalscoring for Cardiff City and displayed a shirt featuring Emiliano Sala’s picture.
A special moment for Cardiff…
Bobby Reid scores and immediately pays tribute to Emiliano Sala 👏 pic.twitter.com/UikPitzOHT
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 2, 2019
His former club Nantes played their first game on the mid-week against St. Etienne. The referee stopped the game in the 9th minute, which was followed by a minute-long applause from the fans, players and the managerial staff as a tribute to Emiliano Sala.
Here are some of the Twitter reactions:
My proudest moment of being a Cardiff fan today. An emotional day but a complete team performance and spot on tactics from Neil Warnock lifted the club this evening.
— Lawrie Murphy (@Law_Murph1) February 2, 2019
That’s was beautiful moment we witnessed tonight, Neil Warnock is an absolute credit to that football club @CardiffCityFC #CARBOU
— Rob Waldon WHUFC ⚒ (@RobWaldon) February 2, 2019
Neil Warnock, what a man! Well done, Cardiff City! Lots of respect & love for Sala in the stadium 🌼 #cardiffcityfc
— helen witham (@ladywits) February 2, 2019
Football is such an emotional sport. Watching a "hardman" like Neil Warnock crying at full time in joy really gave me another reason to love the game.
— Chidi (@rockostylz) February 2, 2019
Well done Cardiff and Neil Warnock. From at least one Huddersfield Town fan to Cardiff fans. Hope you stay up. #HTAFC #CARBOU
— Richard Calverley (@rjcalver) February 2, 2019
Not a big fan of neil warnock but glad they got a result tonight considering everything they have bn through as a club the last two weeks!!!!
— Andy hynes (@andyhy88) February 2, 2019
