Emiliano Sala’s sister issues plea to continue search for missing striker

The search was called off earlier today

The search for missing footballer Emiliano Sala was called off on Thursday, with chances of survival 'extremely remote'. The Argentine footballer, who had just signed for Cardiff City from Ligue 1 FC Nantes, was on board a light aircraft which went missing on Monday night while flying across the English Channel. In a statement posted on Twitter, Harbour Master Captain David Barker said: "We reviewed all the information to us, as well as knowing what emergency equipment was on board, and have taken the difficult decision to end the search." Sala's sister, Romina, has since issued a desperate plea to authorities to continue the search for her missing brother. Romina Sala travelled to the UK on Thursday to meet with Cardiff City officials as efforts continued to locate her brother and 60-year-old pilot David Ibbotson, only for the search to be ended at 3.15pm. “We understand the facts and we really appreciate the efforts,” she said to media outside the St David’s Hotel in Cardiff. “We want to say thanks to the two clubs (Cardiff City and Nantes) and everyone who is looking for Emiliano, but my message is please, please, please don’t stop with the search. For me, they are still alive. “It is very difficult to express my feelings at the moment because it is really hard. “We have had a lot of support from the two clubs and I thank all the fans for their efforts, but deep down in the bottom of my heart I know that Emiliano – who is a fighter – is still alive. I know Emiliano and the pilot are somewhere in the middle of the channel. “We are not going to give up.” Guernsey Police's statement clarified that: "Although we are no longer actively searching, the incident remains open and and we will be broadcasting to all vessels and aircraft in the area to keep a look out for any trace of the aircraft. This will continue indefinitely."