'Absolutely disgusting': Fans mock football star killed in plane crash
Two Southampton supporters could be banned from the club after taunting Cardiff City fans about the death of striker Emiliano Sala.
Sala died in a plane crash last month, days after joining Cardiff, and his body was found on Thursday.
Two Southampton fans were photographed making aeroplane gestures during their side’s 2-1 home Premier League defeat by Cardiff on Saturday.
“Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City,” the club said in a statement.
“Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary’s.”
Southampton said they would work with Hampshire police to identify individuals who made indecent gestures towards Cardiff supporters.
“The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified,” they added.
Fans took to social media to slam the two men.
They are not Southampton fans
I think every other fan there would disown them
They are scumbags— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) February 9, 2019
Seriously what is wrong with people? Southampton fans making aeroplane gestures towards the Cardiff fans today? What goes through your head to do that? #Saints #CCFC #Cardiff
— William Esler (@WilliamEsler) February 9, 2019
A Southampton fan was ejected from St Mary's after making gestures towards the Cardiff City fans.
Well done to the Saints stewards for acting so quickly & getting rid of the moronic fan.
It's a real shame that some fans can't remember how to act when they're at a football game.
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) February 9, 2019
Absolutely disgusting what the Southampton fans did today by mocking the death of Sala. Bang out of order. The many respectful #saints fans must be embarrassed by these couple of idiots. Should people be banned for having such bad taste? #SOUCAR
— Steve Brookstein (@stevebrookstein) February 9, 2019
Players from both teams observed a minute’s silence in tribute to Sala before the game.
“We wanted to do it for Emiliano and I’m really proud the lads have done him justice,” Cardiff manager Neil Warnock said.
The plane carrying Sala from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff, his new club, disappeared near the British island of Guernsey on January 21.
Pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.
Cardiff went on to win 2-1 thanks to Kenneth Zohore’s dramatic goal in the third minute of stoppage time which saw them climb out of the relegation zone.
with agencies