Emiliano Sala's father has died

Friday 26 April 2019

The mayor of Emiliano Sala's hometown has said the footballer's father, Horacio Sala, has died of a heart attack just months after his son's death.

The Argentine striker was killed in a plane crash near Alderney in January, and the politician has said his father could never get over it.

The 58-year-old died at his home in Progreso in Argentina’s Santa Fe province, according to local media reports on Friday.

His 28-year-old son, who had just signed for Cardiff City, disappeared with pilot David Ibbotson, as the Piper Malibu they were in crashed into the water on January 21. While the footballer's body was found inside the stricken aircraft, which still lies on the seabed north west of Alderney, Mr Ibbotson has never been found. 

Pictured: Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson. 

Progreso Mayor Julio Muller told radio station La Red of Mr Sala’s death, with local media reports citing 'a heart problem' for the father’s death.

“The partner of Horacio called me at five in the morning. The doctors were already there. When he left his home, he had already died.

“He could never get over Emi’s death.”

Emiliano Sala’s remains were recovered on February 6 after a private search which his family and friends crowdfunded for after the initial search and rescue mission was called off. 

His father had said he was “desperate” after the underwater search found the crashed aircraft.

“I cannot believe it. This is a dream. A bad dream. I am desperate,” Mr Sala told local broadcaster Cronica TV at the time.