Grieving Argentines have paid tribute to Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala at a special memorial in his home region of Santa Fe.

The body of 28-year old Sala, who died in a plane crash last month, was laid out in a gymnasium in the town where he grew up so friends and family could pay their last respects on Saturday.

A single-engine plane carrying Sala from his French club Nantes to his new team Cardiff City crashed on January 21 in the English Channel, before he could make his debut for the English Premier League side.

Wreckage was found on February 3 following a privately funded underwater search, and a body was recovered three days later.

Sala's body was flown to Argentina and arrived in Buenos Aires on Friday morning before being driven the 538km to Progreso, where he grew up.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock and club owner Ken Choo were in Santa Fe to pay their respects to Sala's family, including his mother, Merecedes, and sister, Romina.

 "It's been very difficult for everyone but none more so than for Mercedes, Romina and the brother," Warnock told Wales Online.

"We met the father as well, and he's a very emotional subject. It's been a difficult morning for everyone. I think they have some comfort in the fact that at least it can have closure."

Daniel Rivero, president of club San Martín of Progreso said Sala's death was a "hammer blow" and "the saddest moment of the history of our town". 

"He never forgot his origins. He left a legacy of humility and sacrifice, not only in sports but also in life."

stuff.co.nz

BDST: 1200 HRS, FEB 17, 2019
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