International Football
SALA PLANE BROKE UP FLYING TOO FAST AFTER PILOT LOST CONTROL
Footballer Emiliano Sala was killed when the unlicensed pilot of his plane lost control and flew too fast as he tried to avoid bad weather, British aviation investigators said on Friday (March 13).
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said in its final report into the Jan 21, 2019 crash that the single-engine Piper Malibu aircraft suffered an in-flight break-up and plunged in to the water, north of Guernsey, upside down.
The AAIB also confirmed that pilot David Ibbotson, 59, was unlicensed to fly that particular aircraft and at night, when the tragedy occurred.
He was also operating an unlicensed commercial flight and being paid an unspecified amount for the flight, which was illegal.
Investigators said it was likely that he was affected by carbon monoxide.
An interim report also found that Sala had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning before the plane crashed and was likely unconscious when it hit the water.
Geraint Herbert, senior inspector of air accidents at AAIB, said the plane was flying erratically in its last moments as the pilot tried to avoid bad weather.
“During this accident the pilot lost control of the aircraft during a turn, which we believe he was making to avoid poor weather,” Herbert told AFP.
“After that the aircraft broke up in flight because it was manoeuvring at a speed well in excess of its maximum manoeuvring speed.”
‘NOT SURVIVABLE’
The plane was travelling at an estimated 435kmh when it hit the water, said the AAIB.
Investigators said the impact was “not survivable”.
Although there was no single cause for the accident, said investigators, the tragedy has thrown a spotlight on lax regulation.
The 115-page report highlighted concerns over the growing use of unlicensed commercial flights, such as the one used to transport Sala, by the “sporting world”.
The AAIB also recommended that carbon monoxide monitors be fitted as standard on all planes.
The plane, built in 1984, did not have such a monitor and it is believed that the poisoning was caused by a faulty cabin heater.
Herbert said two main factors contributed to the crash.
“One was that the pilot was not experienced and qualified to fly the flight, but the other one of course was that he was probably suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning,” he said.
“We have made a recommendation to the regulators to require the carriage of carbon monoxide detectors on aircraft such as this.”
ILLEGAL CHARTER FLIGHTS
Sala had signed for Cardiff in a £15 million deal completed just a few days before the crash.
The Argentinian was returning to Cardiff to take part in his first training session after saying goodbye to his teammates in northwest France.
In a statement, Cardiff City said it “welcomed” the report which “raises a number of new questions which we hope will be addressed during the inquest recommencing next week”.
That inquest is due to start next Monday in Bournemouth, southern England.
The European Business Aviation Association said the tragedy and report had highlighted “the risks of illegal charter flights”.
Reports in the British press have said former football agent Willie McKay said he paid for the fatal flight, but did not choose the pilot or the plane.
Sala’s body was found several days after the crash, attached to wreckage from the plane, while Ibbotson’s body was never found.
-AFP
International Football
Two Moroccan football players lost at sea, says club official
Two Moroccan players from top-flight soccer side Ittihad Tanger have been missing at sea since Saturday after strong currents drifted their small yacht, a club official said on Sunday.
They were in a group of five players from the club who went cruising off the northern city of Tangier when strong currents and heavy winds drifted their yacht away as they were swimming in deep waters, club deputy president Anass Mrabet told Reuters.
“Three players have already been rescued on Saturday, while research is still ongoing for the missing Salman Harraq and Abdellatif Akhrif,” he said.
The players did not have buoys on them when they jumped from the small yacht to swim, he said citing recounts by rescued players.
While Akhrif, 24, is already a full member of the squad, Harraq, 18, was about to move up to the senior team this year, Mrabet added.
Ittihad Tanger have been in the Moroccan top flight since 2015 and won the league title for the first and only time in their history in the 2017-18 season. However, they have struggled in the lower half of the standings in recent years.
-Reuters
International Football
FIFA launches ‘Football Manager’ World Cup with $100,000 in prize money
FIFA will host its first ever FIFAe World Cup of Football Manager this year to crown the best virtual manager on the highly-popular video game, world soccer’s governing body said on Thursday.
FIFA is partnering with Sports Interactive, the developers of the game that has sold millions of copies and has also been used by several football clubs to scout players and opponents thanks to its extensive database.
Players will compete for $100,000 in prize money in the final event from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1.
“This competition requires participants to demonstrate a profound understanding of football strategy and tactics,” said former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who is the ambassador for the esports event.
“Success demands not only mastery of game mechanics but also in-depth football knowledge, making this format a fascinating blend.”
FIFA said in the inaugural year of the event, selected member associations will be invited to be represented at the final event.
Member associations from all six confederations are expected to be invited while players can sign up on FIFA’s website.
-Reuters
International Football
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio robbed at gunpoint
Former Italy international Roberto Baggio was assaulted and robbed at gunpoint at his home in northern Italy while watching his country’s match against Spain in the Euro 2024 tournament on Thursday, local police said.
Burglars broke into Baggio’s house near Vicenza, hit him on the head with a gun butt and locked him and his family in a room while they stole jewellery, watches and cash, daily Il Corriere della Sera reported. It said he suffered a deep wound.
“Luckily, the violence I suffered only resulted in a few stitches, bruises and a lot of fear. Now it is to overcome the fear,” Baggio was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Baggio, 57, played for clubs including Juventus (JUVE.MI), opens new tab, AC Milan and Inter Milan. He also played 56 times for Italy, scoring 27 goals, and is widely seen as one of his country’s all-time greats.
After the robbery, Baggio, widely known as the “divine ponytail”, was treated at a local hospital where he received stitches for the head wound, Italian media reported.
Italy lost to Spain 1-0 on Thursday and now must avoid defeat by Croatia to guarantee progression in the tournament.
-Reuters
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