Premier League
Tragedy Strikes Premier League Again As Flight Carrying Cardiff Striker Vanishes
Shockwaves are reverberating through the footballing world as new Cardiff signing Emiliano Sala has gone missing. The Argentinian’s name was confirmed to be one of the two passengers on a small plane that disappeared Monday evening. The plane vanished over the English Channel as Sala made his way to Wales to join his new team. After signing for Cardiff, Sala had returned to Nantes to gather his belongings and say farewell to his teammates. On the return flight to Wales, the flight was lost off the coast of Alderney, the northernmost Channel Island. The single turbine Piper Malibu aircraft dropped off of radar without placing a distress call. The plane did however request descent and was flying low at 2,300′.
Only an abbreviated search was possible Monday due to inclement weather. Efforts resumed Tuesday with calmer seas. A search has been done for over 1,155 square miles as of Tuesday night, but no traces of the plane have been found. Given the frigid ocean temperatures, survival would be unlikely if the plane did crash into the sea.
History Repeating
This is the second major aviation accident the Premier League has experienced this season. Previously, Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha perished in a helicopter accident leaving the King Power stadium in October. The tragedies both follow the devastating crash of Brazilian side Chapecoense’s plane in 2016.
The English Channel has had a reputation for being dangerous for small planes dating back to WW2. The presumed crash would be the 10th serious aviation accident in the English Channel since 2001. People may begin to consider the Channel Islands the Bermuda Triangle of Europe if accidents continue.
Footballing Implications
The tragedy is particularly devastating to Cardiff City. The Welsh club has struggled this season and currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone. In a commendable attempt to stay in the league, owner Vincent Tan made the 28-yearold Sala the club’s record signing at $20 million. Cardiff has been desperate for goals, having scored only 19 in 23 games. Unsurprisingly, that number is second fewest in the league. Sitting only two points from safety, Sala’s goals certainly could have salvaged the Bluebird’s season.
Signed from Nantes in Ligue 1, Sala has an incredible strike rate in the past 3.5 years. The Argentinian has scored 42 league goals since 2015. Additionally, he has already tallied 12 goals in 16 games this campaign. That total is 5th best in Ligue 1 this season. The striker was to train with the squad today. Next Tuesday he was set to make his debut as Cardiff host Arsenal. Additionally, given his high profile, his presence could have lifted the entire stadium. Unfortunately, it appears none of that will occur. In a statement the club claims ownership is “very distressed” about the situation. Players were subsequently given the day off from practice.
It is tough visualize a route to Premier League survival for Cardiff given this tragedy. The club has lost its best striker and its $20 million investment, consequently making additional spending this month unlikely. Hopefully the team will be able to find some motivation in playing for their fallen teammate they never even got to share the field with. Neutrals will certainly be rooting for them.
Is There Any Hope?
Officials haven’t ruled out the possibility that somehow the plane managed to touch down on land and simply hasn’t been able to communicate. A scattering of debris has been found in the ocean on Tuesday, but neither passenger was located. Rescuers were unable to even verify if the debris were from Sala’s plane. Ultimately, the minuscule level of hope that remains is dwindling fast as the hours slip away. It’s increasingly likely that the footballing world will have to bid farewell to another of its brothers lost in flight.
Photo credit to Premier League via Twitter
