FC Nantes and Ligue 1 Remember Emiliano Sala

Wednesday was an emotional night for Ligue 1 and FC Nantes as they held a moving tribute to former player Emiliano Sala who disappeared last week along with pilot David Ibbotson. As the Nantes players walked out, with a somber look on their faces they were clad in t-shirts that read “We love you Emi”. Before the match began the team huddled together and were heard saying “We’re doing this for him boys” as opponents St. Etienne wore “Pray for Emi” shirts. 

 

Fans around the Stade de la Beaujoire unveiled giant images of the 28-year-old including an Argentinian flag and a handful of Cardiff fans who made the trip to Nantes help up a banner reading ‘We never saw you play and never saw you score, but Emiliano our beautiful Bluebird we will love you forever more.’

In the ninth minute of the match, the same as Sala’s jersey number the referee stopped the match for a minute of silence as the stadium resounded with “Emiliano Sala” which reduced Nantes boss Vahid Halilhodzic to tears. 

The match concluded in a draw with St Etienne scoring first, shortly followed by a crucial pass from Coulibaly to Abdul Waris who scored sparking emotional celebrations. 

Sala scored 48 goals from 133 appearances for Nantes after spending four years with the Ligue 1 team before signing to Cardiff City earlier this month.

Last Monday he was on his way to the Welsh capital when his plane disappeared. A few days later after as rescuers announced they would stop the investigation, the football world came together following requests from the Sala family to keep searching. Fellow Argentines Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero also urged authorities to keep searching. 

Aguero stated:

“We don’t want to give up, we want to hold on to hope. That’s why I also wish #NoDejenDeBuscar – don’t call off the search. From the start, my thoughts have been with Emiliano, his family and friends #PrayForSala 

After setting up a Gofundme page, Paris Saint-Germain players including Kylian Mbappe and Adrien Rabbit donated 30,000 euros each. Premier League players Ilkay Gundogan and Laurent Koscielny both donated 2,000 euro. 

Earlier on Wednesday investigators stated they had found two cushions which they believe belong on the plane carrying Sala and Ibbotson. 

Share and Enjoy !

Shares
Lisa Leroux

Recent Posts

Sounders get by on penalties

Seattle Sounders FC 0-0 Club Puebla (Sounders advance 4-3 on penalties) SEATTLE, WA—Seattle Sounders FC…

17 hours ago

Suarez penalty pair sends Herons to Leagues Cup semis

Inter Miami CF 2-1 Tigres UNL FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--A pair of penalty kicks from Luis…

18 hours ago

Little Mountain’s journey ends against Aruba

Canada 1-6 Aruba WILLIAMSPORT, PA--The Little Mountain Little League of Vancouver's time at the Little…

18 hours ago

Report: Teran heading to Brazil, Waterman heading to Fire

CHICAGO, IL--Chicago Fire FC appears to be making a change a center back. Joe Chatz…

2 days ago

A visit to first place San Diego F.C. will be another wholesome challenge

(6) Portland Timbers (10,9,7, 37 points) vs (1) San Diego FC (16,7,4, 52 points) Saturday,…

2 days ago

Welcome to Rose City Matias Rojas

The Portland Timbers have been busy this summer with the acquisition of three important players…

2 days ago