Emiliano Sala’s mother Mercedes says she feels ‘dead while living’ a year on from day of son’s tragic death

TRAGIC Emiliano Sala’s mother admits she feels “dead while living” a year to the day of her son’s death.

And the Sala family’s lawyer has urged authorities to “speed up” their investigation into the fatal plane crash.

Cardiff fans and club staff yesterday paid tribute to Sala on the first anniversary of his death, including a special service at St David’s Cathedral attended by manager Neil Harris and players Sol Bamba and Sean Morrison.

Former Nantes striker Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, were killed when the plane carrying him from France to his new club Cardiff came down over the English Channel on January 21 last year.

The wreckage was found on February 3rd, and four days later Sala’s body was confirmed and identified — pilot Ibbotson, from North Lincolnshire, has still not been retrieved.
It is a tragic story that has ripped apart the Sala family, with Emiliano’s father Horacio dying just three months later from a heart attack.

But his mother, Mercedes, told the BBC: “Seeing all this love, all these messages, feeling the comfort of so many people, it is touching.

"I receive so much stuff from France, from England, from the rest of Argentina.”

“But what can I say? I just want to have him here with me.

“I am practically dead while living. It’s been a terrible, terrible year. I loved him so much. I would tell him every day.

“It seems as if it was yesterday, and it’s already been one year. The pain is intact and it will never go away.

“I can’t say I found peace, unfortunately. I’m still fighting.”

PLEA TO INVESTIGATORS

Sala’s family have also made clear that their “primary concern” is a full inquest.

Their lawyer, Daniel Machover from Hickman & Rose Solicitors, said in a statement: “The family’s primary concern remains for the full inquest to take place as soon as possible.

“It is so that they can finally learn the truth about what happened and ensure that no family has to suffer a similar preventable loss of a loved one.”

Machover added it is “imperative” that all investigating bodies give the coroner their final update before February 14 in anticipation for a pre-inquest review hearing on March 16.

He also said that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch “ must speed up its work”.

At the Cardiff City Stadium fans were invited to leave flowers, banners, and shirts next to the Fred Keenor statue in tribute of the player signed two days before his death.

While inside the cathedral, the flag of Argentina was also erected and the country’s national anthem played.

Prayers were led by Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack, while Canon Peter Collins, a former administrator at the cathedral, gave two readings in Spanish.

A Cardiff City statement on behalf of owner Vincent Tan and the board read: “All of our thoughts are with the family and friends of Emiliano Sala and (pilot) David Ibbotson.

“The pain they have been through over the last 12 months must be indescribable.”

Defender Bamba added: “As a club I think we have to come and support it. Me personally, it was massive for me to be here, for his family and his friends. It was very important for everyone.

“I think when it is a tragedy like this, the football community gets together.”

Reports claim Sala sent a WhatsApp voice message three days before the crash, in which he told friends he had not made a final decision on the Cardiff move and was hoping something “more interesting” would turn up.

Nantes — where Sala scored 42 goals in 120 league games during more than three years at the club - will wear a special commemorative Argentine-inspired shirt at the Ligue 1 home game against Bordeaux on Sunday.

A Nantes statement said: “All the proceeds from sales of this shirt will be allocated to the two Argentinian clubs (Club San Martin de Progreso and Proyecto Crecer) where Emiliano began his career.”

They will also unveil a canvas of him in the centre-circle before kick-off against Bordeaux, another of his former clubs, while a special fan banner and a minute’s applause is also planned.

Cardiff are currently appealing a ruling that demands they pay Nantes the first instalment of Sala’s £15m transfer fee.

the Bluebirds argue they are not liable because he was not officially their player when he died.

The final decision will be heard in June.