The father of Emiliano Sala has died, just three months after the footballer was killed in a plane crash in the English Channel.
Horacio Sala, 58, died at his home in Progreso in Argentina's Santa Fe province, local media reported on Friday (local time).
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The 28-year-old Argentine footballer, who had signed for Cardiff City, disappeared with the pilot of the Piper Malibu, after it crashed in the waters north of Guernsey on January 21.
Progreso Mayor Julio Muller told radio station La Red of Mr Sala's death.
"The partner of Horacio called me at five in the morning," Mr Muller said. "The doctors were already there.
"When he left his home, he had already died. He could never get over Emi's death."
Muller cited "a heart problem" for the father's death.
Emiliano Sala's remains were recovered on February 6 after a private search, but pilot David Ibbotson, 59, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, is still missing.
The father said he was "desperate", after the underwater search found the crashed aircraft.
"I cannot believe it," Mr Sala told local broadcaster Cronica TV. "This is a dream... a bad dream.
"I am desperate."
PA
