Emiliano Sala’s father accused Cardiff of ‘abandoning’ his son ‘like a dog’ weeks before dying himself

The Argentine striker tragically passed away after an aircraft set for Cardiff crashed in the English Channel off Alderney 

Jack Rathborn
Monday 20 May 2019 11:57 BST
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Emiliano Sala's father claims Cardiff City 'abandoned him like a dog' before he died from heart attack

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Emiliano Sala’s father Horacio accused Cardiff City FC of leaving his son like a dog and abandoning him.

Horacio died shortly after the recording of the new BBC documentary, which investigates the death of his son following a plane crash in the Channel Islands in January.

After his £15million move from Nantes to Cardiff, the Piper Malibu aircraft carrying the player to Wales crashed off Alderney in the English Channel.

Sala’s body was eventually recovered, though pilot David Ibbotson has still not be found. And Horacio condemned Cardiff for their role shortly before

Horacio said: “With all the money that had been paid for him, why was it so hard for them to find something safe?

“Why couldn’t they? But they left him alone.

“They left him like a dog. They left him, they abandoned him.”

Sala’s mother Mercedes Taffarel also contributes to the documentary and admits she continues to think her son will call: “I keep thinking he’s going to call, but no.”

Horacio Sala, father of Emiliano, died shortly after the BBC documentary was filmed
Horacio Sala, father of Emiliano, died shortly after the BBC documentary was filmed (Getty)

Since relegated to the Championship, Cardiff have responded to the BBC documentary, claiming they intend to take care of the Sala family.

A statement read: “Cardiff City has been working with the appropriate parties to ensure that the Sala family is taken care of – as a matter of principle.”

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