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.

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« 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>
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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>
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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

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