LONDON • Southampton have promised to ban supporters who mocked the death of Emiliano Sala by making aeroplane gestures during their 2-1 Premier League home loss to Cardiff on Saturday.
The game was Cardiff's first since the Argentinian striker's body was identified by an English coroner on Thursday, a day after it was recovered from underwater wreckage in the English Channel.
After the game at the St Mary's Stadium, a video on social media appeared to show two men in the home section making aeroplane gestures in the direction of the away fans.
Southampton confirmed both fans had been spoken to by police and intended to take "an extremely firm stance" over the incident.
The club added in a statement: "Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary's. The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified."
Cardiff had been given permission to wear shirts embroidered with a yellow daffodil, the national emblem of Wales and the team colour of Nantes. And a minute's silence in memory of Sala was impeccably observed before an emotional match for the Welsh club.
The plane carrying Sala from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, his new club, disappeared near the British island of Guernsey on Jan 21.
Captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and the victory to Sala.
He said: "A lot of things were going through my mind.
"I knew Emiliano. I know he was looking up there. The victory and the goal is for him."
The Ivorian defender scored the 69th-minute opener only for the hosts to equalise in stoppage time. But Kenneth Zohore netted a 93rd-minute winner that took Cardiff out of the relegation zone.
"It has been a tough couple of weeks," Bamba told Sky Sports. "We knew we had to give our all today. It wasn't easy but a performance like this was very pleasing."
Cardiff boss Neil Warnock was proud of his side's resilience as he paid his own post-match tribute.
He said: "Emiliano was a fabulous lad, and it's appropriate we came down with our black armbands on and put in a performance like that.
"We could easily have folded, but we were determined.
"We're limited, but you can't question their character and what they've got under their shirts because they've bags of heart."
Pilot David Ibbotson is still missing and the family's crowdfunding effort was boosted by the €27,000 (S$41,500) from French World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe, who pledged the same amount to the Sala search.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
High stakes for 'gambler' Low BERLIN • Germany coach Joachim Low is hoping to prove his critics wrong by putting their annus horribilis behind them with a win when his new-look team host Serbia in a friendly in Wolfsburg today.
High Stakes for Problem Gamblers - aproundtable.org
Watford's Gray strikes late to spoil Rodgers' Leicester debut Watford's Andre Gray scored a stoppage-time winner as Leicester City began life under new boss Brendan Rodgers in
Leicester city News: Leicester city Latest News and Headlines
ManUtd News - Buffon identifies two problems PSG have ahead of Man Utd clash. Gigi Buffon has told Paris Saint-Germain to show "a spirit of sacrifice for the team" with Edison Cavani joining
"We Have To Improve Mentally" - Gianluigi Buffon Warns PSG
Football: Zidane set for shock Real Madrid return, reports say MADRID (AFP) - Zinedine Zidane will make a shock return as coach of Real Madrid after the club decided on Monday (March 11) to sack Santiago Solari, say reports in the Spanish press.
Primera División » News » Zidane set for shock Madrid return
'Expired' Molde deal to ease way for Solskjaer Related Story Football: Solskjaer has restored United's culture and identity, says former treble teammate Schmeichel
Solskjaer confirms his contract in Norway has expired
Blues manager Maurizio Sarri hails Higuain-Hazard partnership
Pochettino: Success means more Spurs than Man United | Goal.com
Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi. The Blues visit Budapest this week
Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse - uk.sports.yahoo.com
Football: Palace climb away from troube with 3-1 win at Burnley BURNLEY, England (REUTERS) - Crystal Palace moved further away from the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 win at fellow strugglers Burnley on Saturday (March 2) thanks to second half goals from Michy Batshuayi and Wilfried Zaha.
Palace climb away from troube with 3-1 win at Burnley - The
Neymar has paid a visit to Brazilian football legend Pele, who has been in hospital in Paris since April 3. The Paris Saint-Germain forward posted a photo on his Instagram account on Monday of
Neymar visits recovering Pele in hospital - CGTN
Everton v Huddersfield. I worry for Huddersfield this season. The Terriers kept their top-flight status intact last season, surviving relegation despite scoring a pitiful tally of just 28 goals - the joint-fewest from any surviving side in Premier League history as Town were silenced on 21 occasions.
Hiccup and Toothless - Where No One Goes - Fly scene
Hamilton foiled again in opener. Lewis Hamilton, second in Melbourne for the fourth straight year, spraying champagne on winner and Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas. The Briton's frustrating run
Hamilton foiled again in opener - theworldnews.net
The Portuguese attacking midfielder has also been linked to City's rivals Manchester United, but it is looking increasingly like the Sky Blue is winning the race for the player. The Sporting No. 8 has racked up an immense tally of 31 goals and 17 assists in 50 appearances this season, which has made him one of the hottest players in Europe.
Chelsea news recap: Offer for midfielder increased, star to
0 comments:
Post a Comment