Police Investigate Leaked Mortuary Photos Of Emiliano Sala

By Max Wise

Police are seriously investigating how the mortuary photo of a body purported to be that of former Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala leaked on social media.

Sala,28, was Cardiff City’s record signing for £15m from French club Nantes but never got to play for the club.

The Argentine was flying from France to England, alongside pilot David Ibbotson, to join up with his new team days after completing his signing, when the Piper Malibu N264DB plane they were travelling in, crashed into the sea along the English channel on January 21, 2019.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "We are aware that a picture reported to be of Mr Sala's body has been shared on social media channels and are disgusted that somebody did this."

He added: "It is clearly a very difficult time for Mr Sala's family and they should not have to endure additional pain that this shameful act will undoubtedly cause.

"We are investigating this incident and are working together with a number of agencies to establish how the picture was taken and who is responsible."

A private rescue team retrieved Sala’s body from the wreckage on February 8, and was taken to Argentina where he was given a befitting burial, but the pilot’s body remain missing.

A Cardiff spokesman said: "Cardiff City FC expresses its disgust and outrage at the individual/individuals who thoughtlessly took and shared the image."

On Friday, news emerged from Argentina that Sala’s father, Horacio Sala, had passed away from a suspected heart attack just three months after his son’s death.