Cardiff City

Ken Choo, Cardiff City's executive director and CEO, has just issued this statement, external on the club website:

"We were very shocked upon hearing the news that the plane had gone missing. We expected Emiliano to arrive last night into Cardiff and today was due to be his first day with the team.

"Our owner, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, and chairman, Mehmet Dalman, are all very distressed about the situation.

"We made the decision first thing this morning to call off training with the thoughts of the squad, management staff and the entire club with Emiliano and the pilot.

"All of us at Cardiff City FC would like to thank our fans, and the entire footballing family, for their support at this difficult time.

"We continue to pray for positive news."

Manchester City

Manchester City held a news conference today before the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Burton, during which manager Pep Guardiola was asked about today's news.

Image source, Twitter

Ben Green: Horrific shame about Sala, brings back memories of the Leicester owner.

Phil: Let us not forget that there are two people missing. My hopes and prayers go to Sala's family and friends and those of the pilot too. I hope they are both found safe.

Image source, Twitter

Another former Bordeaux team-mate Diego Rolan, who is currently on loan at Leganes from Deportivo La Coruna, tweeted this...

The Uruguayan striker prays for Sala to 'appear', adding 'God in command'.

Argentine midfielder Valentin Vada played alongside compatriot Emiliano Sala at Bordeaux and is still with the Ligue 1 club.

Image source, Twitter

Emiliano Sala had a loan spell with Niort in 2013-14, scoring 20 goals in 40 games in all competitions. The club is currently ninth in Ligue 2.

Rodney Marshall: Had the privilege of watching Sala play for Niort and shatter goalscoring record. Humble and hardworking.

Haseeb: I really hope Sala is safe somewhere. The news of missing aircraft is so much scary in itself. I was keen to see him playing in the Premier League as his goal scoring record for this season has been prolific.

Nantes have already confirmed that their next game, which was due to be played tomorrow, has been postponed.

Cardiff were knocked out of the FA Cup by Gillingham so aren't playing in the fourth round this weekend.

The Bluebirds' next game is therefore due to be a Premier League match at Arsenal next Tuesday, 29 January.

More fan reaction now from the Cardiff City Stadium.

"I couldn't believe it," said Frank Humphreys, 71, of Canton, Cardiff. "Your first thoughts are for his family but this could totally alter Cardiff's season.

"You couldn't write a script like it. It must have taken a lot of convincing for him to come and it was a huge signing for the club but now we'll never get to see him."

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's another recap of events concerning Emiliano Sala, from Cardiff manager Neil Warnock confirming his interest in signing the Argentine striker through to news of the search today.

John Fernandez
BBC Radio Guernsey reporting for BBC One

At the moment they're scouring an area off the north of Alderney, a place called Les Casquets, a very rough area of tide where two currents meet. There have been lots of shipwrecks in that area.

Nantes have postponed their next game, a French Cup round-of-32 tie away to third-tier outfit L'Entente SSG which was scheduled to be played tomorrow night.

BBC News

Guernsey harbour master Captain David Barker spoke to BBC News earlier.

He said that no distress call had been received and that if the search continues into the night it is unlikely to have a good outcome.

"It's far easier to see something on the surface in daylight," he said. "We are looking for any traces of an aircraft, a life raft, persons in the water, life jackets."

BBC Wales News

Arnaud Wajdzik, who is a Nantes-based journalist for Ouest France, has told BBC Wales News Online that the atmosphere in the town is “very emotional”, and that people plan to gather in the town square this evening for a vigil.

Image source, Ouest France

Image source, AFP/Getty

Former France defender Willy Sagnol coached Emiliano Sala while he was playing at Bordeaux.

"I do not have the words to express what I feel," he told French newspaper L'Equipe, external. "It's dramatic, horrible.

"He's such a good guy Emiliano, kind and generous, and just a worker. I do not have the words, it's all too early."

BBC Wales News

Keith Morgan, chairman of the Cardiff City Supporters Trust, told BBC Wales that he is shocked by the news.

"As with any tragedy it's difficult to absorb," he said. "We're obviously still hoping it's not confirmed but when or if it is, we will contact Nantes offering all our help.

"Already fans have been getting in touch, the wider football community, to offer their sympathy to Cardiff City.

"I think fans realise what's important and things like this put everything into perspective. Football is important in all our lives but not more than a person's life. It's very sad.

"Its strange. None of the fans got to see him play for Cardiff and now, tragically, never will. So it's difficult for the club to manage.

"Our thoughts are with his friends, family and former team-mates."

BBC Wales News

Here's a video on the story so far...

Today's news comes just three days after Emiliano Sala completed the biggest move of his career, with the Argentine arguably about to hit his peak.

He was clearly very popular too as he moved on with Nantes' blessing. The club tweeted this on Saturday, wishing him well for the rest of his career.

Image source, Twitter