French footballer Kylian Mbappe has donated £27,000 after the family of the missing pilot David Ibbotson launched a fundraising campaign to find pilot's remains.&nbsp;

Ibbotson, from Crowle, Lincolnshire was the pilot of a small plane that crashed over the English Channel while flying Argentine footballer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/factbox-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-192054">Emiliano Sala</a> to Britain.&nbsp;

Mbappe, whose full name is Kylian Sanmi Mbappe Lottin, donated under the name Elie Lottin. Former England captain Gary Lineker has also donated £1,000.&nbsp;

By Monday morning, the campaign had raised more than £140,000 - close to half of its stated goal of £300,000.&nbsp;

"Thank you to each and everyone for your kindness. We will keep you all posted once we know more information on what is going to happen and the plan,"&nbsp;the GoFundMe page quoted.&nbsp;

Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cardiff-players-scared-to-fly-after-emiliano-salas-disappearance-says-defender-bamba-193829">Cardiff players scared to fly after Emiliano Sala's disappearance, says defender Bamba</a>

British rescuers on Thursday formally <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/body-in-channel-wreckage-identified-as-footballer-sala-police-195900">identified the one body</a> pulled from the submerged wreckage as that of the 28-year-old striker.&nbsp;

But strong currents and winter weather forced them to call off the search before locating 59-year-old pilot - the only other person on the Piper Malibu propeller aircraft.&nbsp;

Later, the family of the pilot launched a fundraising campaign to find his remains.&nbsp;

<img alt="David Ibbotson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4db33b54-7c82-488b-9cd0-d6a16e5bd764" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/David%20Ibbotson.jpg" />

A message on the site reads, "As a family we are relying on the kindness of the good hearted people to help us raise the much needed funds to help us find our beloved Dad, Husband and Son."&nbsp;

"To be told the search has now been called off for the foreseeable future has only made this tragic time more difficult."&nbsp;

The plane carrying Sala from the French city of Nantes to his new English Premier League club Cardiff City disappeared near the British island of Guernsey on January 21.&nbsp;

French footballer Kylian Mbappe has donated £27,000 after the family of the missing pilot David Ibbotson launched a fundraising campaign to find pilot's remains.

French footballer Kylian Mbappe has donated £27,000 after the family of the missing pilot David Ibbotson launched a fundraising campaign to find pilot's remains. Ibbotson, from Crowle, Lincolnshire was the pilot of a small plane that crashed over the English Channel while flying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala to Britain. Mbappe, whose full name is Kylian Sanmi Mbappe Lottin, donated under the name Elie Lottin. Former England captain Gary Lineker has also donated £1,000. By Monday morning, the campaign had raised more than £140,000 - close to half of its stated goal of £300,000. "Thank you to each and everyone for your kindness. We will keep you all posted once we know more information on what is going to happen and the plan," the GoFundMe page quoted. Also Read: Cardiff players scared to fly after Emiliano Sala's disappearance, says defender Bamba British rescuers on Thursday formally identified the one body pulled from the submerged wreckage as that of the 28-year-old striker. But strong currents and winter weather forced them to call off the search before locating 59-year-old pilot - the only other person on the Piper Malibu propeller aircraft. Later, the family of the pilot launched a fundraising campaign to find his remains. A message on the site reads, "As a family we are relying on the kindness of the good hearted people to help us raise the much needed funds to help us find our beloved Dad, Husband and Son." "To be told the search has now been called off for the foreseeable future has only made this tragic time more difficult." The plane carrying Sala from the French city of Nantes to his new English Premier League club Cardiff City disappeared near the British island of Guernsey on January 21.

Kylian Mbappe donates £27,000 to search fund for missing pilot David Ibbotson

Ligue 1 sides Nantes and Nimes paid an emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala before their match on Sunday (February 10).

Nantes, where Sala spent four seasons, wore black shirts with the name 'Sala' stuck to their back. Nantes fans also held up the number 9 in memory of the Argentine.

Players and coaching staff from both sides joined the Nantes fans in applauding and cheering in memory of Sala who died in a plane crash.

Sala, 28, had been en route from Nantes in western France on Jan. 21 to make his debut for Cardiff when the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the English Channel.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
L’après-midi débutait pourtant si bien...<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayForSala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlayForSala</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCNNO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCNNO</a> <a href="https://t.co/Q60traoV96">pic.twitter.com/Q60traoV96</a>
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCNantes/status/1094627033253117952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
EMI' POUR TOUJOURS 💛<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayForSala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlayForSala</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCNNO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCNNO</a> <a href="https://t.co/6A2qetVWrK">pic.twitter.com/6A2qetVWrK</a>
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCNantes/status/1094597766624563200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The wreckage was found last Sunday (February 3) following a privately-funded underwater search.

The body of Sala was recovered from the crashed plane but attempts to recover the aircraft wreckage itself were unsuccessful. The overall operation was brought to an end due to "poor weather conditions," the agency said.

Sala had agreed to join Welsh Premier League club Cardiff for a club-record fee of 15 million pounds ($19.63 million) from Nantes. He and the pilot, David Ibbotson, are believed to have died as the single-engined Piper Malibu aircraft crashed into the sea.

Ligue 1 sides Nantes and Nimes paid an emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala before their match on Sunday (February 10). Nantes, where Sala spent four seasons, wore black shirts with the name 'Sala' stuck to their back.

Ligue 1 sides Nantes and Nimes paid an emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala before their match on Sunday (February 10). Nantes, where Sala spent four seasons, wore black shirts with the name 'Sala' stuck to their back. Nantes fans also held up the number 9 in memory of the Argentine. Players and coaching staff from both sides joined the Nantes fans in applauding and cheering in memory of Sala who died in a plane crash. Sala, 28, had been en route from Nantes in western France on Jan. 21 to make his debut for Cardiff when the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the English Channel. L’après-midi débutait pourtant si bien...#PlayForSala | #FCNNO pic.twitter.com/Q60traoV96 — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 10, 2019 × EMI' POUR TOUJOURS 💛#PlayForSala | #FCNNO pic.twitter.com/6A2qetVWrK — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 10, 2019 × The wreckage was found last Sunday (February 3) following a privately-funded underwater search. The body of Sala was recovered from the crashed plane but attempts to recover the aircraft wreckage itself were unsuccessful. The overall operation was brought to an end due to "poor weather conditions," the agency said. Sala had agreed to join Welsh Premier League club Cardiff for a club-record fee of 15 million pounds ($19.63 million) from Nantes. He and the pilot, David Ibbotson, are believed to have died as the single-engined Piper Malibu aircraft crashed into the sea.

Nantes hold emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala before match

The French football association Friday revealed plans to pay tribute to Argentine forward Emiliano Sala, whose body has been found in the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed in the&nbsp;English Channel late last month, while Nantes announced it would retire the No. 9 shirt he wore for three seasons at the club. 
 
Ligue de Football Professionnel, the governing body for French football, said Sala would be honoured at the beginning of each match of the first and second tier leagues. 
 
"For Week 24 in Ligue 1 Conforama and Domino's Ligue 2, one minute's applause will be observed at every ground before matches kick off," the governing body said in a statement. 
 
The commemoration will include Nantes' La Beaujoire stadium, venue of a Ligue 1 game pitting the home side against Nimes, scheduled for Sunday. 
 
Sala left from Nantes aboard a Piper PA-46 Malibu heading to join the Premier League side Cardiff City, who paid a club record of 15 million sterling pounds ($19.45m) to contract the forward, a player that had impressed European leagues and clubs during the first half of this season. 
 
The light aircraft crashed in the English Channel on January 21 with Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board.&nbsp; 
 
The police in the United Kingdom announced late Thursday that a body found in the wreckage of the crashed plane was Sala's. 
 
Following the announcement, Nantes said in a statement that Sala, who scored 48 goals over 144 first tier French soccer matches, will have a special place in the history of the club. 
 
President of FC Nantes, Waldemar Kita said: "It is a tragedy. I am devastated. Emiliano left his mark, which is why, like many fans, I want to honour him again by removing the number 9." 
 
The chairperson of the Ligue de Football Professionnel Nathalie Boy de la Tour said: "Personally, like so many other people, I have a heavy heart. Emiliano Sala embodied joie de vivre, politeness, generosity and simplicity." 
 
"In the name of French professional football, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you have shown to the family of Emiliano Sala, whose memory will remain forever etched in our hearts," he added.

The French football association Friday revealed plans to pay tribute to Argentine forward Emiliano Sala, whose body has been found in the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed in the English Channel late last month, while Nantes announced it would retire the No.

The French football association Friday revealed plans to pay tribute to Argentine forward Emiliano Sala, whose body has been found in the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed in the English Channel late last month, while Nantes announced it would retire the No. 9 shirt he wore for three seasons at the club. Ligue de Football Professionnel, the governing body for French football, said Sala would be honoured at the beginning of each match of the first and second tier leagues. "For Week 24 in Ligue 1 Conforama and Domino's Ligue 2, one minute's applause will be observed at every ground before matches kick off," the governing body said in a statement. The commemoration will include Nantes' La Beaujoire stadium, venue of a Ligue 1 game pitting the home side against Nimes, scheduled for Sunday. Sala left from Nantes aboard a Piper PA-46 Malibu heading to join the Premier League side Cardiff City, who paid a club record of 15 million sterling pounds ($19.45m) to contract the forward, a player that had impressed European leagues and clubs during the first half of this season. The light aircraft crashed in the English Channel on January 21 with Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on board. The police in the United Kingdom announced late Thursday that a body found in the wreckage of the crashed plane was Sala's. Following the announcement, Nantes said in a statement that Sala, who scored 48 goals over 144 first tier French soccer matches, will have a special place in the history of the club. President of FC Nantes, Waldemar Kita said: "It is a tragedy. I am devastated. Emiliano left his mark, which is why, like many fans, I want to honour him again by removing the number 9." The chairperson of the Ligue de Football Professionnel Nathalie Boy de la Tour said: "Personally, like so many other people, I have a heavy heart. Emiliano Sala embodied joie de vivre, politeness, generosity and simplicity." "In the name of French professional football, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you have shown to the family of Emiliano Sala, whose memory will remain forever etched in our hearts," he added.

French football to pay tribute to late Emiliano Sala, Nantes to retire his No. 9 shirt

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash last month, would have thrived in the Premier League with Cardiff City, the club's manager Neil Warnock said on Friday.

Sala joined Cardiff in January and was flying to the Welsh city from his former French club Nantes when his plane disappeared over the sea on January 21.

Authorities abandoned the search for the plane three days later but a privately-funded underwater search found the wreckage on Sunday and a body retrieved was formally identified on Thursday as Sala's.

"I always thought he was a type of player that would score 10 or 15 for me at the top level every year. But not just that, he would work hard as a team player," Warnock told reporters ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Southampton.

"He was at the prime, I felt, and he knew he had things to prove. He'd been in a comfort zone in France, he'd improved every year.

"I think he was ready, if a little bit fearful of the challenge ahead."

Warnock said Cardiff had asked the Premier League to wear shirts with a yellow daffodil to pay tribute to Sala and David Ibbotson, the pilot of the aircraft.

"When something like this happens it brings all the football family together. It's a loss to everyone in football," Warnock added.

"I know we're the closest, but when you see the response from world-class players and the amount of money they were able to raise (to resume the search for the wreckage) in the space of a few hours, it was amazing."

Clubs in France's Ligue 1 and 2, where Sala played for the majority of his career, will hold a minute's applause before this weekend's matches in his memory.

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash last month, would have thrived in the Premier League with Cardiff City, the club's manager Neil Warnock said on Friday.

Argentine striker Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash last month, would have thrived in the Premier League with Cardiff City, the club's manager Neil Warnock said on Friday. Sala joined Cardiff in January and was flying to the Welsh city from his former French club Nantes when his plane disappeared over the sea on January 21. Authorities abandoned the search for the plane three days later but a privately-funded underwater search found the wreckage on Sunday and a body retrieved was formally identified on Thursday as Sala's. "I always thought he was a type of player that would score 10 or 15 for me at the top level every year. But not just that, he would work hard as a team player," Warnock told reporters ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Southampton. "He was at the prime, I felt, and he knew he had things to prove. He'd been in a comfort zone in France, he'd improved every year. "I think he was ready, if a little bit fearful of the challenge ahead." Warnock said Cardiff had asked the Premier League to wear shirts with a yellow daffodil to pay tribute to Sala and David Ibbotson, the pilot of the aircraft. "When something like this happens it brings all the football family together. It's a loss to everyone in football," Warnock added. "I know we're the closest, but when you see the response from world-class players and the amount of money they were able to raise (to resume the search for the wreckage) in the space of a few hours, it was amazing." Clubs in France's Ligue 1 and 2, where Sala played for the majority of his career, will hold a minute's applause before this weekend's matches in his memory.

Emiliano Sala was ready for Premier League, says Cardiff City's manager Neil Warnock

The family of Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala said Friday they could now begin mourning after his body was formally identified following its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/body-in-channel-wreckage-identified-as-footballer-sala-police-195900">recovery from a crashed plane</a> in the Channel.

"We can now begin to mourn our son and our brother," the Argentinian player's family said in a statement, also thanking everyone involved in the effort to locate the submerged wreckage off Guernsey.

"We would like to thank you for all of your signs of affection and support in the most painful time of our life," the family said.

"To see everyone doing everything possible to join us in the search has been a precious help to us."

Also&nbsp;Read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/diego-maradona-gabriel-batistuta-lead-the-tributes-to-emiliano-sala-196009">Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta lead tributes after Sala's body identified</a>

The family said their thoughts were also with the family of the 59-year-old pilot of the plane, David Ibbotson, whose body has not yet been found, saying "we hope the authorities do everything possible to find him".

Sala had returned to France to say goodbye to his teammates at Ligue 1 club Nantes and was flying to Wales on January 21 to join up with his new club following his 17-million-euro ($19.3 million) transfer.

The plane, a Piper PA-46 Malibu, vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey.

The family of Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala said Friday they could now begin mourning after his body was formally identified following its recovery from a crashed plane in the Channel.

The family of Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala said Friday they could now begin mourning after his body was formally identified following its recovery from a crashed plane in the Channel. "We can now begin to mourn our son and our brother," the Argentinian player's family said in a statement, also thanking everyone involved in the effort to locate the submerged wreckage off Guernsey. "We would like to thank you for all of your signs of affection and support in the most painful time of our life," the family said. "To see everyone doing everything possible to join us in the search has been a precious help to us." Also Read: Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta lead tributes after Sala's body identified The family said their thoughts were also with the family of the 59-year-old pilot of the plane, David Ibbotson, whose body has not yet been found, saying "we hope the authorities do everything possible to find him". Sala had returned to France to say goodbye to his teammates at Ligue 1 club Nantes and was flying to Wales on January 21 to join up with his new club following his 17-million-euro ($19.3 million) transfer. The plane, a Piper PA-46 Malibu, vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey.

'We can now mourn': Footballer Emiliano Sala's family after body identification

British investigators on Wednesday said they had recovered a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/its-a-bad-dream-emiliano-salas-father-says-after-plane-recovered-194924">Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala</a> in the Channel.

But bad weather has forced the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to abandon hopes of pulling the plane to shore.&nbsp;

The light aircraft was carrying the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/we-love-you-emi-nantes-players-pay-emotional-tribute-to-emiliano-sala-194536">28-year-old footballer </a>to his new Premier League team Cardiff City when it disappeared near the island of Guernsey on January 21, along with 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson.

A shipwreck hunter hired by Sala's family with the help of funds donated by football stars such as Lionel Messi had found the plane wreckage on Sunday.

The AAIB who then took over the operation revealed on Monday that an unidentified body had been found at the site.

"In challenging conditions, the AAIB and its specialist contractors successfully recovered the body previously seen amidst the wreckage," the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said Wednesday.

"The operation was carried out in as dignified a way as possible and the families were kept informed of progress."

However, attempts to recover the aircraft during the underwater operation were unsuccessful.&nbsp;

"The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close," the statement added.

It said that extensive video footage captured by a remotely operated vehicle is expected to "provide valuable evidence for our safety investigation," adding that it intends to publish an interim report on the accident later this month.&nbsp;

The recovered body will be now be passed to the coroner for identification.&nbsp;

Sala was flying to join up with Cardiff from French team Nantes in what was the most expensive signing in the Welsh club's history.

The plane, a Piper PA-46 Malibu, vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey, with pilot Ibbotson the only other person aboard.

After the official rescue team gave up their search, saying there was little chance of finding anyone alive, Sala's family raised more than 370,000 euros ($422,000) in an online campaign to pay for a private hunt.

"Had that not happened, I don't think anybody would have searched for the plane," said shipwreck hunter David Mearns, whose private company found the plane before calling in the AAIB.

The discovery of two seat cushions on the French coast last week revealed that the plane was broken, Mearns added.

Earlier this week Sala's father, Horacio Sala, acknowledged that there was no prospect of finding his son alive.

"There's no longer any hope," he told Fox Sports.

"We hope the two bodies are inside (the plane). It's over, the only thing I hope now is that they find them."

British investigators on Wednesday said they had recovered a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala in the Channel. But bad weather has forced the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to abandon hopes of pulling the plane to shore.

British investigators on Wednesday said they had recovered a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala in the Channel. But bad weather has forced the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to abandon hopes of pulling the plane to shore. The light aircraft was carrying the 28-year-old footballer to his new Premier League team Cardiff City when it disappeared near the island of Guernsey on January 21, along with 59-year-old pilot David Ibbotson. A shipwreck hunter hired by Sala's family with the help of funds donated by football stars such as Lionel Messi had found the plane wreckage on Sunday. The AAIB who then took over the operation revealed on Monday that an unidentified body had been found at the site. "In challenging conditions, the AAIB and its specialist contractors successfully recovered the body previously seen amidst the wreckage," the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said Wednesday. "The operation was carried out in as dignified a way as possible and the families were kept informed of progress." However, attempts to recover the aircraft during the underwater operation were unsuccessful. "The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close," the statement added. It said that extensive video footage captured by a remotely operated vehicle is expected to "provide valuable evidence for our safety investigation," adding that it intends to publish an interim report on the accident later this month. The recovered body will be now be passed to the coroner for identification. Sala was flying to join up with Cardiff from French team Nantes in what was the most expensive signing in the Welsh club's history. The plane, a Piper PA-46 Malibu, vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey, with pilot Ibbotson the only other person aboard. After the official rescue team gave up their search, saying there was little chance of finding anyone alive, Sala's family raised more than 370,000 euros ($422,000) in an online campaign to pay for a private hunt. "Had that not happened, I don't think anybody would have searched for the plane," said shipwreck hunter David Mearns, whose private company found the plane before calling in the AAIB. The discovery of two seat cushions on the French coast last week revealed that the plane was broken, Mearns added. Earlier this week Sala's father, Horacio Sala, acknowledged that there was no prospect of finding his son alive. "There's no longer any hope," he told Fox Sports. "We hope the two bodies are inside (the plane). It's over, the only thing I hope now is that they find them."

Body recovered from Sala's plane wreckage, say British investigators

British investigators on Monday said they had spotted a body in underwater images of the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/factbox-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-192054">Emiliano Sala</a> and pilot David Ibbotson that disappeared in the Channel two weeks ago.

"Tragically, in video footage from the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage," the Air Accident Investigation Branch said in a statement.

"The image shows the rear left side of the fuselage including part of the aircraft registration," the AAIB said. "We intend to publish an interim report within one month of the accident occurring."
<img alt="Emiliano Sala" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ada4c098-465e-4784-a0ca-f6a35055c718" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/sala.jpg" />
Earlier, the missing plane carrying Sala and his pilot was found, the investigators told AFP on Sunday.&nbsp;

"I can confirm it has been found," a spokeswoman for Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.&nbsp;

Sala was travelling from France to join up with his new club, Premier League side Cardiff City, in a light aircraft <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/plane-carrying-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-goes-missing-191987">on January 21 when it went missing</a> close to the Channel Islands.

Suspected debris from the plane washed up on the Normandy coastline in France last Wednesday.&nbsp;

Sala was flying in the Piper PA-46 Malibu plane after transferring from French team Nantes in a 17 million euro ($19.3 million) move.&nbsp;

It vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey, with pilot Dave Ibbotson the only other person aboard.&nbsp;

David Mearns, whose private company, Blue Water Recoveries, was hired by Sala's family to search for the plane, said on Twitter that the wreck was spotted early Sunday.&nbsp;

" There's a substantial amount of wreckage on the seabed," he wrote, adding: "This is about the best result we could have hoped for the families."

Top footballers were among more than 4,500 contributors to a crowdfunding page that raised over 300,000 euros ($343,000) to look for the wreck.

British investigators on Monday said they had spotted a body in underwater images of the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson that disappeared in the Channel two weeks ago.

British investigators on Monday said they had spotted a body in underwater images of the wreckage of the plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson that disappeared in the Channel two weeks ago. "Tragically, in video footage from the ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), one occupant is visible amidst the wreckage," the Air Accident Investigation Branch said in a statement. "The image shows the rear left side of the fuselage including part of the aircraft registration," the AAIB said. "We intend to publish an interim report within one month of the accident occurring." Earlier, the missing plane carrying Sala and his pilot was found, the investigators told AFP on Sunday. "I can confirm it has been found," a spokeswoman for Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said. Sala was travelling from France to join up with his new club, Premier League side Cardiff City, in a light aircraft on January 21 when it went missing close to the Channel Islands. Suspected debris from the plane washed up on the Normandy coastline in France last Wednesday. Sala was flying in the Piper PA-46 Malibu plane after transferring from French team Nantes in a 17 million euro ($19.3 million) move. It vanished from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of Guernsey, with pilot Dave Ibbotson the only other person aboard. David Mearns, whose private company, Blue Water Recoveries, was hired by Sala's family to search for the plane, said on Twitter that the wreck was spotted early Sunday. " There's a substantial amount of wreckage on the seabed," he wrote, adding: "This is about the best result we could have hoped for the families." Top footballers were among more than 4,500 contributors to a crowdfunding page that raised over 300,000 euros ($343,000) to look for the wreck.

Body found in wreckage of footballer Emiliano Sala's plane: Investigators

An underwater seabed search for the missing plane that was carrying football player Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson began on February 3.&nbsp;

Cardiff City's new signing Sala and the aircraft's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since their plane disappeared over the Channel last week.&nbsp;

Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its Geo Ocean III vessel arrived on Sunday morning to the search area.&nbsp;

Together with a privately-funded vessel, it is conducting sonar surveys off Guernsey.&nbsp;

The planned search area, which is based on the plane's last radar contact, is approximately 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey.

Also Read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/we-love-you-emi-nantes-players-pay-emotional-tribute-to-emiliano-sala-194536">'We love you Emi': Nantes players pay emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala</a>

The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route from Nantes in western France with pilot Ibbotson to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City when the plane disappeared over the English Channel on January 21.

AAIB said it was informed on Monday (January 28) that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surtainville on the Cotentin Peninsula in northern France. A second cushion was found in the same area later that day.&nbsp;

Rescuers scoured about 1,700 square miles (4,400 square km) after the single-engined Piper Malibu plane went missing but had failed to find a trace of the aircraft until Monday.

The plane had been cruising at 5,000 feet (1,525 m) when the pilot requested to descend to a lower altitude on passing Guernsey. It then lost radar contact at 2,300 feet (700 m).

An underwater seabed search for the missing plane that was carrying football player Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson began on February 3. Cardiff City's new signing Sala and the aircraft's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since their plane disappeared over the Channel last week.

An underwater seabed search for the missing plane that was carrying football player Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson began on February 3. Cardiff City's new signing Sala and the aircraft's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since their plane disappeared over the Channel last week. Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its Geo Ocean III vessel arrived on Sunday morning to the search area. Together with a privately-funded vessel, it is conducting sonar surveys off Guernsey. The planned search area, which is based on the plane's last radar contact, is approximately 24 nautical miles north of Guernsey. Also Read: 'We love you Emi': Nantes players pay emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route from Nantes in western France with pilot Ibbotson to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City when the plane disappeared over the English Channel on January 21. AAIB said it was informed on Monday (January 28) that part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surtainville on the Cotentin Peninsula in northern France. A second cushion was found in the same area later that day. Rescuers scoured about 1,700 square miles (4,400 square km) after the single-engined Piper Malibu plane went missing but had failed to find a trace of the aircraft until Monday. The plane had been cruising at 5,000 feet (1,525 m) when the pilot requested to descend to a lower altitude on passing Guernsey. It then lost radar contact at 2,300 feet (700 m).

Underwater search for Emiliano Sala's plane begins

Nantes&nbsp;paid a moving tribute to their former team-mate, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/factbox-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-192054">Emiliano Sala</a>, as the team played their first game since the disappearance of the Argentine striker&nbsp;at&nbsp;the Stade de la Beaujoire.&nbsp;

Cardiff City's new signing Sala and the aircraft's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/plane-carrying-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-goes-missing-191987">missing&nbsp;since their plane disappeared</a> over the Channel last week.&nbsp;

Before the game, players&nbsp;warmed up wearing t-shirts with "On T'aime Emi" (We Love You Emi) written on the back and the player's photo on the front.&nbsp;

A giant picture of Sala was projected onto the centre circle.&nbsp;

The whole Nantes squad formed a circle moments before the match started as coach Vahid Halilhodzic spoke to the players.

Nantes players wore Sala's name on the back of their shirts when the game kicked off.&nbsp;

The tearful fans held a minute's applause and chanted his name.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
« Emi', on t'aime » 
 
Hier soir, le temps s'est arrêté... Le film de la soirée 📺<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCNASSE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCNASSE</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PlayForSala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PlayForSala</a> <a href="https://t.co/fVPuxenqLO">pic.twitter.com/fVPuxenqLO</a>
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCNantes/status/1091038654225571840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Emi', pour toujours avec nous 💛<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrayForSala?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrayForSala</a> <a href="https://t.co/GRV80nZu8o">pic.twitter.com/GRV80nZu8o</a>
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCNantes/status/1091380912489545728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Former&nbsp;Nantes&nbsp;forward Yacine Bammou, who became a close friend of Sala's before leaving for Caen, was in tears watching on, while coach Vahid Halilhodzic also struggled to contain his emotions.

"It's hard to talk about this, it's a terrible moment, we're all shocked," Halilhodzic said earlier on Wednesday.

"Hope, whether it's slim or not? I don't know, but we're still waiting for a surprise, I hope it will come very soon.

"He is such a nice, kind, respectful, endearing boy and a true warrior who loved the club."

The game finished 1-1, with&nbsp;Nantes&nbsp;full-back Fabio and Saint-Etienne midfielder Yann M'Vila both sent off for a scuffle on the stroke of half-time.

Earlier, the accident investigators said two seat cushions had been found which are likely to have come from the plane carrying Sala and the pilot.

"I did not have much hope. Now we must try to mourn and then move forward," said 69-year-old&nbsp;Nantes&nbsp;supporter Andree Guittet.

Nantes paid a moving tribute to their former team-mate, Emiliano Sala, as the team played their first game since the disappearance of the Argentine striker at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Nantes paid a moving tribute to their former team-mate, Emiliano Sala, as the team played their first game since the disappearance of the Argentine striker at the Stade de la Beaujoire. Cardiff City's new signing Sala and the aircraft's pilot, David Ibbotson, have been missing since their plane disappeared over the Channel last week. Before the game, players warmed up wearing t-shirts with "On T'aime Emi" (We Love You Emi) written on the back and the player's photo on the front. A giant picture of Sala was projected onto the centre circle. The whole Nantes squad formed a circle moments before the match started as coach Vahid Halilhodzic spoke to the players. Nantes players wore Sala's name on the back of their shirts when the game kicked off. The tearful fans held a minute's applause and chanted his name. « Emi', on t'aime » Hier soir, le temps s'est arrêté... Le film de la soirée 📺#FCNASSE | #PlayForSala pic.twitter.com/fVPuxenqLO — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) January 31, 2019 × Emi', pour toujours avec nous 💛#PrayForSala pic.twitter.com/GRV80nZu8o — FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 1, 2019 × Former Nantes forward Yacine Bammou, who became a close friend of Sala's before leaving for Caen, was in tears watching on, while coach Vahid Halilhodzic also struggled to contain his emotions. "It's hard to talk about this, it's a terrible moment, we're all shocked," Halilhodzic said earlier on Wednesday. "Hope, whether it's slim or not? I don't know, but we're still waiting for a surprise, I hope it will come very soon. "He is such a nice, kind, respectful, endearing boy and a true warrior who loved the club." The game finished 1-1, with Nantes full-back Fabio and Saint-Etienne midfielder Yann M'Vila both sent off for a scuffle on the stroke of half-time. Earlier, the accident investigators said two seat cushions had been found which are likely to have come from the plane carrying Sala and the pilot. "I did not have much hope. Now we must try to mourn and then move forward," said 69-year-old Nantes supporter Andree Guittet.

'We love you Emi': Nantes players pay emotional tribute to Emiliano Sala

Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cardiff-players-scared-to-fly-after-emiliano-salas-disappearance-says-defender-bamba-193829">Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala</a> said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft.

The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/privately-funded-search-for-emiliano-sala-plane-starts-193615">Nantes in western France with pilot David Ibbotson</a> to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City when the plane disappeared over the English Channel.

Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surtainville on the northern French coast. A second cushion was found in the same area later that same day.

"From a preliminary examination, we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft," the AAIB said in a statement.

Investigators said they now planned to launch an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Due to weather conditions, the search would start at the end of this weekend and take up to three days.

"Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles," they said.

A three-day search for the forward and pilot David Ibbotson ended last Thursday&nbsp;after rescuers said there was little chance anyone aboard the single-engine aircraft had survived.

The private search, which is being paid for by fundraisers, involves fishing boats and a survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art search equipment which will be used to conduct an underwater search.

Earlier, members of the&nbsp;Sala&nbsp;family had taken a private flight to see the area where the rescuers have been searching.

Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft.

Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft. The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route from Nantes in western France with pilot David Ibbotson to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City when the plane disappeared over the English Channel. Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said part of a seat cushion had been found on a beach near Surtainville on the northern French coast. A second cushion was found in the same area later that same day. "From a preliminary examination, we have concluded that it is likely that the cushions are from the missing aircraft," the AAIB said in a statement. Investigators said they now planned to launch an underwater seabed search for aircraft wreckage. Due to weather conditions, the search would start at the end of this weekend and take up to three days. "Based on a detailed assessment of the flight path and last known radar position, we have now identified a priority search area of approximately four square nautical miles," they said. A three-day search for the forward and pilot David Ibbotson ended last Thursday after rescuers said there was little chance anyone aboard the single-engine aircraft had survived. The private search, which is being paid for by fundraisers, involves fishing boats and a survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art search equipment which will be used to conduct an underwater search. Earlier, members of the Sala family had taken a private flight to see the area where the rescuers have been searching.

Cushions found likely to be from missing Sala aircraft: British air investigation

The marine scientist David Mearns, who is leading the private search for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/factbox-cardiff-city-striker-emiliano-sala-192054">Emiliano Sala</a>'s plane by using underwater technology to scan the seabed, outlined the difficulties his team face at a news conference in Guernsey on Monday (January 28).

Argentine striker Sala, who had just joined Cardiff City from Nantes, has been missing since the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the Channel last Monday (January 21).

A three-day search for the forward and pilot David Ibbotson ended last Thursday (January 24) after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/rescuers-end-search-for-missing-plane-carrying-football-star-emiliano-sala-192562">rescuers said there was little chance anyone aboard the single-engine aircraft had survived</a>.

The private search, which is being paid for by fundraisers, involves fishing boats and a survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art search equipment which will be used to conduct an underwater search.

"This is a relatively small search area... but there are complications in terms of it being a small plane, the bottom (of the sea) is very hard, there is lots of other wreckage out there, and we have the weather," said Mearns.

"We are working in the worst time. If this was the summertime our confidence level would be much higher, almost to the point of a guarantee."

Earlier in the day, members of the Sala family took a private flight to see the area where the rescuers have been searching.

The marine scientist David Mearns, who is leading the private search for Emiliano Sala's plane by using underwater technology to scan the seabed, outlined the difficulties his team face at a news conference in Guernsey on Monday (January 28).

The marine scientist David Mearns, who is leading the private search for Emiliano Sala's plane by using underwater technology to scan the seabed, outlined the difficulties his team face at a news conference in Guernsey on Monday (January 28). Argentine striker Sala, who had just joined Cardiff City from Nantes, has been missing since the plane he was travelling in disappeared over the Channel last Monday (January 21). A three-day search for the forward and pilot David Ibbotson ended last Thursday (January 24) after rescuers said there was little chance anyone aboard the single-engine aircraft had survived. The private search, which is being paid for by fundraisers, involves fishing boats and a survey vessel equipped with state-of-the-art search equipment which will be used to conduct an underwater search. "This is a relatively small search area... but there are complications in terms of it being a small plane, the bottom (of the sea) is very hard, there is lots of other wreckage out there, and we have the weather," said Mearns. "We are working in the worst time. If this was the summertime our confidence level would be much higher, almost to the point of a guarantee." Earlier in the day, members of the Sala family took a private flight to see the area where the rescuers have been searching.

Privately-funded search for Emiliano Sala plane starts

Cardiff City's record new signing Emiliano Sala expressed concern about his plane shortly before the light aircraft disappeared over the Channel, according to an audio message sent to friends and relatives.

The Argentine striker, signed on Saturday from French club Nantes for a reported fee of 17 million euros ($19.3 million), was flying to Cardiff aboard the plane that disappeared from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the island of Guernsey on Monday night.

"I'm on a plane that looks like it's going to fall apart, and I'm leaving for Cardiff," Sala said in a WhatsApp audio message carried by Argentine media.

"If in an hour and a half you have no news from me, I don't know if they will send people to look for me, because they will not find me, you know. Dad, I'm so scared," he added.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/cardiff-striker-emiliano-sala-feared-dead-after-suspected-plane-crash-192102">Sala is missing and presumed dead</a> after the single-engine Piper PA-46 Malibu aircraft disappeared.

A 15-hour search Tuesday covering a 1,155 square-mile (3,000 square-kilometre) area in the Channel spotted "a number of floating objects in the water", Guernsey police said.

"We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim," police said.

The search was set to resume at sunrise Wednesday.

French civil aviation authorities had confirmed that 28-year-old Sala "was on board the plane". It is thought there was one other passenger on the aircraft.

Police on Guernsey, which sits just off the north coast of France, said the pilot had requested to lower his altitude shortly before air traffic control in neighbouring Jersey lost contact with the plane.&nbsp;

'Fearing the worst'

One of the rescuers searching for the missing plane earlier admitted they were "fearing the worst", thoughts echoed by Sala's father Horacio.

"Sadly we are fearing the worst... the sea temperature is so cold at the moment," John Fitzgerald, chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, told AFP.

A tearful Horacio Sala told the press in Progreso, where the player's family lives, that as "the hours go by and I don't know anything, it makes me fear the worst".

"I don't know anything. Nobody spoke to me, not a call from the embassy, the club, nobody," he said. "All I want is for you to find him."

The player's mother, Mercedes, claimed in an interview with Argentine television channel C5N that the plane belonged to Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman.

Sala, who had been at Nantes since 2015 and had scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with relegation-threatened Cardiff subject to receiving international clearance.

"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," the Premier League club's executive director Ken Choo said in a statement.

"We continue to pray for positive news."

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona expressed sadness but said he was hoping the plane had simply gone astray.

"I hope it went to the wrong airport and we find him alive, that's all," he said in an audio message on the Instagram account of journalist Martin Arevalo.

"It's a terrible misfortune when such things happen."

Cardiff called off a training session planned for Tuesday, and stunned supporters gathered outside the club's ground to lay flowers and scarves.

With his former teammates in shock, Nantes had their French Cup tie against third-tier side Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien postponed from Wednesday until Sunday.

Fans hold vigil

Meanwhile, hundreds of fans of his former team gathered for a vigil in the western French city on Tuesday evening, placing flowers, scarves and flags on the water fountain and chanting the striker's name at Place Royale.

"I still have hope, he is a fighter," said Nantes president Waldemar Kita in a tweet published by the Ligue 1 club.

When he put pen to paper at relegation-threatened Cardiff on Saturday, Sala, who also has Italian nationality, said in a statement: "I'm very happy to be here. It gives me great pleasure and I can't wait to start training, meet my new team-mates and get down to work.

"For me it feels special (to be the club's record signing). I have come here wanting to work and to help my team-mates and the club."

Sala's last post on Instagram showed him surrounded by players from Nantes. "La ultima ciao (the last goodbye)," he wrote.

Sala began his footballing career at French club Bordeaux, who he joined in 2010, and had loan spells at other French clubs including Orleans, Niort and Caen.

He joined Nantes in 2015 for one million euros and had scored 42 Ligue 1 goals in three and a half seasons at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Cardiff City's record new signing Emiliano Sala expressed concern about his plane shortly before the light aircraft disappeared over the Channel, according to an audio message sent to friends and relatives.

Cardiff City's record new signing Emiliano Sala expressed concern about his plane shortly before the light aircraft disappeared over the Channel, according to an audio message sent to friends and relatives. The Argentine striker, signed on Saturday from French club Nantes for a reported fee of 17 million euros ($19.3 million), was flying to Cardiff aboard the plane that disappeared from radar around 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the island of Guernsey on Monday night. "I'm on a plane that looks like it's going to fall apart, and I'm leaving for Cardiff," Sala said in a WhatsApp audio message carried by Argentine media. "If in an hour and a half you have no news from me, I don't know if they will send people to look for me, because they will not find me, you know. Dad, I'm so scared," he added. Sala is missing and presumed dead after the single-engine Piper PA-46 Malibu aircraft disappeared. A 15-hour search Tuesday covering a 1,155 square-mile (3,000 square-kilometre) area in the Channel spotted "a number of floating objects in the water", Guernsey police said. "We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim," police said. The search was set to resume at sunrise Wednesday. French civil aviation authorities had confirmed that 28-year-old Sala "was on board the plane". It is thought there was one other passenger on the aircraft. Police on Guernsey, which sits just off the north coast of France, said the pilot had requested to lower his altitude shortly before air traffic control in neighbouring Jersey lost contact with the plane. 'Fearing the worst' One of the rescuers searching for the missing plane earlier admitted they were "fearing the worst", thoughts echoed by Sala's father Horacio. "Sadly we are fearing the worst... the sea temperature is so cold at the moment," John Fitzgerald, chief officer of Channel Islands Air Search, told AFP. A tearful Horacio Sala told the press in Progreso, where the player's family lives, that as "the hours go by and I don't know anything, it makes me fear the worst". "I don't know anything. Nobody spoke to me, not a call from the embassy, the club, nobody," he said. "All I want is for you to find him." The player's mother, Mercedes, claimed in an interview with Argentine television channel C5N that the plane belonged to Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman. Sala, who had been at Nantes since 2015 and had scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, had signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with relegation-threatened Cardiff subject to receiving international clearance. "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," the Premier League club's executive director Ken Choo said in a statement. "We continue to pray for positive news." Argentine football legend Diego Maradona expressed sadness but said he was hoping the plane had simply gone astray. "I hope it went to the wrong airport and we find him alive, that's all," he said in an audio message on the Instagram account of journalist Martin Arevalo. "It's a terrible misfortune when such things happen." Cardiff called off a training session planned for Tuesday, and stunned supporters gathered outside the club's ground to lay flowers and scarves. With his former teammates in shock, Nantes had their French Cup tie against third-tier side Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien postponed from Wednesday until Sunday. Fans hold vigil Meanwhile, hundreds of fans of his former team gathered for a vigil in the western French city on Tuesday evening, placing flowers, scarves and flags on the water fountain and chanting the striker's name at Place Royale. "I still have hope, he is a fighter," said Nantes president Waldemar Kita in a tweet published by the Ligue 1 club. When he put pen to paper at relegation-threatened Cardiff on Saturday, Sala, who also has Italian nationality, said in a statement: "I'm very happy to be here. It gives me great pleasure and I can't wait to start training, meet my new team-mates and get down to work. "For me it feels special (to be the club's record signing). I have come here wanting to work and to help my team-mates and the club." Sala's last post on Instagram showed him surrounded by players from Nantes. "La ultima ciao (the last goodbye)," he wrote. Sala began his footballing career at French club Bordeaux, who he joined in 2010, and had loan spells at other French clubs including Orleans, Niort and Caen. He joined Nantes in 2015 for one million euros and had scored 42 Ligue 1 goals in three and a half seasons at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

'Dad, I'm so scared,' Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala said in final audio message before his plane went missing

nantes

Nantes, News on Nantes, stories on Nantes, articles on Nantes, Nantes stories at Wion, Nantes news, Nantes latest news