Nantes announce Emiliano Sala tribute plans ahead of Saint-Etienne fixture
Wednesday 30 January 2019 11:24, UK
Nantes have announced their planned tributes to Emiliano Sala ahead of their Ligue 1 game with Saint-Etienne on Wednesday.
Players will wear shirts with Sala's name on the back and the message 'Amino Emi' - which translates to 'Stay strong Emi' - while they will warm-up in training tops with his face on alongside text which reads 'We love you Emi'.
They will also wear green armbands as a symbol of hope as an underwater search is set to begin for the missing plane carrying the Cardiff striker and pilot David Ibbotson - following secured funding for a private air and sea rescue mission.
Before kick-off against Saint-Etienne at the Stade de la Beaujoire, there will be a banner with Sala's face on the centre circle and screens around the ground will show photos and videos from his time in Nantes.
A tifo will be put up around the stadium and no music will be played when the players walk out. Before the game, there will be no fan zone area or other forms of entertainment outside the ground.
On Tuesday, Cardiff honoured Sala before the Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Cardiff's players, management and staff wore yellow daffodils on their clothing while travelling to the stadium and Sala's name was included in the Cardiff squad listed in the matchday programme, with an image of a daffodil where his squad number would be.
Sol Bamba led Cardiff out onto the pitch before laying a bouquet of daffodils in the centre circle and Mesut Ozil laid tulips before a minute's reflection was held in the stadium.
All seats in the away end had yellow placards, which were held in the air before kick-off, while there was an image of Sala on the big screen with the message '#prayforsala'.
