Sala Search: Maradona, Messi join family to hire private company
Few hours after search party ended the search for the missing plane carrying Cardiff new sign Emiliano Sala, Argentina greats Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi have joined the Sala family to engage a private company to continue the search.
The duo had earlier joined in the growing calls for the search for Emiliano Sala to be resumed.
Guernsey Police called off the search for Sala and pilot David Ibbotson on Thursday after three days of searching for a plane that went missing over the English Channel on Monday, with an extensive operation having covered approximately 1,700 square miles.
Sala’s sister Romina and father Horacio both expressed their shock and dismay at the decision, although a statement from harbour master captain David Barker released via Guernsey Police gave a detailed explanation.
“We reviewed all the information available to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search,” he said. “The chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote.”
The #NoDejenDeBuscar (#DontStopSearching) hashtag has been used by a wide range of football figures to urge authorities to reconsider their decision to stop the search for Sala and his family are planning to launch their own operation.
“If the authorisation of the British police is obtained this afternoon, the search for Emiliano with a private rescue company will be resumed,” family friend Martin Molteni said to La Nacion on Friday.
Diego Maradona also posted a photograph of Sala to his Instagram account with the campaign hashtag. “Hope never dies,” the World Cup winner wrote.
On Thursday, Manchester City’s Argentina attacker Sergio Aguero was among those to call for search of the Argentine to resume.
“We don’t want to give up, we want to hold on to hope,” said the City striker. “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.”