Body is recovered from wreckage of plane that was carrying Emiliano Sala

• One body was brought to the surface before the rescue mission ended
• Officials said they will not be bringing the entire wreckage to the surface
• Unclear whether the body of Emiliano Sala or pilot David Ibbotson was found 

By

Zoie O’brien For Mailonline

Published:
18:26 EST, 6 February 2019

|
Updated:
18:47 EST, 6 February 2019

A body has been recovered from the wreckage of the plane which crashed into the English Channel with Argentinean striker Emiliano Sala onboard.

The plane flying from Nantes, France to Cardiff on January 21 went missing with Sala and pilot David Ibbotson inside.

Remotely operated Vehicles (ROVs) were used in ‘challenging conditions’ to pull the body out of the water ‘in as dignified a way as possible’ the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said on Wednesday night.

The body is being taken to Portland to be passed over to the Dorset coroner for examination, the AAIB added.

The aircraft remains 67 metres underwater 21 miles off the coast of Guernsey in the English Channel as poor weather conditions stopped efforts to recover it.  

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: ‘Following extensive visual examination of the accident site using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV), it was decided to attempt recovery operations.

‘In challenging conditions, the AAIB and its specialist contractors successfully recovered the body previously seen amidst the wreckage. The operation was carried out in as dignified a way as possible and the families were kept informed of progress.’ 

Emiliano Sala was onboard the plane when it went missing off the coast of France on January 21

The statement said it has not been possible to bring the wreckage to the surface and the operation has now ceased. 

It continued: ‘Unfortunately, attempts to recover the aircraft wreckage were unsuccessful before poor weather conditions forced us to return the ROV to the ship. The weather forecast is poor for the foreseeable future and so the difficult decision was taken to bring the overall operation to a close. The body is currently being taken to Portland to be passed into the care of the Dorset Coroner.

The official search could not locate the plane – but after a private effort was launched with robotic submarines – it was found over the weekend

‘Although it was not possible to recover the aircraft, the extensive video record captured by the ROV is expected to provide valuable evidence for our safety investigation.

‘We expect our next update to be an interim report, which we intend to publish within one month of the accident occurring.’

The wreckage was found on Sunday after specialist robotic submarines were brought in. 

David Ibbotson pictured with his wife, Nora Ibbotson was flying the plane which went missing over the Channel 

 

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France are too heavy, too flaky and have too many foreigners in their team, according to one of their former stars.

Ahead of Le Crunch against England this Sunday, France experienced Le Crash against Wales last week — capitulating from 16-0 up at half-time to a 24-19 defeat, the biggest turn-around in Six Nations history.

It means they have lost 15 of their last 18 Tests and, in a stinging criticism of the current France side, Thomas Castaignede hit out at coach Jacques Brunel for picking South African-born lock Paul Willemse.

Thomas Castaignede has criticised the selection of South African-born lock Paul Willemse

‘I prefer to lose with French players than foreigners,’ Castaignede, who won 54 caps, told Sportsmail.

‘If you pick someone you want them to score tries or add value to the team. That is not the case here. Is Willemse much better than Felix Lambey or Yoann Maestri?

‘I don’t think so. So why do we pick him? I have got nothing against the guy, but he is taking the position of players who were born in France, who grew up playing French rugby. What is the point unless you add massive value to the team? I was not picked for the 2003 World Cup because they picked Brian Liebenberg instead of me — a South African.

‘It is sport. They think he is better than you so you have to accept that, but in terms of the morality, you take it badly.

France coach Jacques Brunel saw his side capitulate against Wales in Six Nations opener

‘We want to have morality by not picking a foreign coach because we think that having a French guy is important, but then we pick players from abroad who don’t even speak French.’

Castaignede did not stop there. ‘It is a physical problem, then a leadership problem,’ he added. ‘We are not prepared to play the speed required at the highest level.

‘When you pick the heaviest pack ever, second rows to play back row like Arthur Iturria, and select someone coming from South Africa just because he is a big, powerful guy instead of a young French player from the world champion Under 20s, you do everything wrong.

‘When you don’t pick the best French player, Antoine Dupont, what are you doing?

France suffered the biggest turn-around in Six Nations history after blowing 16-0 lead

‘We deserved what we got against Wales.’

The likes of Willemse, from Pretoria, and 22st prop Uini Atonio, born in New Zealand, qualified for France on residency grounds having played for three years in the country.

In 2016 Bernard Laporte, the former France and Toulon coach who is now the president of the union, brought in a ruling that all players selected for the national team should have a French passport.

But Castaignede pointed out the hypocrisy of that regulation. ‘Laporte, when he was at Toulon, did exactly the opposite,’ said the former France star.

‘And now he wants to tell everyone they need a French passport. It is a bit confusing.

‘I am sad because we have the money and, along with England, the most players.

‘The clubs and the federation need to sit down and change things completely, because I think we could be in the same situation in two or three years otherwise. It is like English football — the clubs are strong.

‘That is important but the French team has to be the main focus. Individually, we have some very good players and these guys can do much better.

‘If Eddie Jones (England) or Warren Gatland (Wales) were the French coach, things would be different.

‘French rugby needs a complete shake-up quickly.’

And Castaignede holds little hope for France’s trip to Twickenham this weekend. ‘I am really worried because we have hit the lowest point,’ he said.

‘At the end of the game last week, Guilhem Guirado was off and no one knew who was captain. It is scary.

‘I can’t see that we have been just unlucky for such a long time. Is it luck or something you deserve? These guys are proud and I hope they step up to fight against England.’

Thomas Castaignede is part of the BBC’s Six Nations coverage. Follow the Six Nations on the BBC across TV, radio and online.

Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic in bust-up with boss Eddie Howe after being axed as No 1

• The pair had a disagreement at the club’s HQ next to the Vitality Stadium 
• Begovic is believed to have taken exception to explanation for being sidelined 
• The row is not believed to have led to Howe’s decision to omit Begovic recently 

By

Sami Mokbel for the Daily Mail

Published:
17:32 EST, 6 February 2019

|
Updated:
18:23 EST, 6 February 2019

Bournemouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is facing an uncertain future following a training-ground dispute with manager Eddie Howe.

The keeper and his boss had a disagreement during a one-on-one at the club’s HQ next to the Vitality Stadium.

The discussion is believed to have centred on Howe’s surprise decision to axe Begovic from his starting XI in recent weeks. The former Chelsea star is believed to have taken exception to his manager’s explanation.

Keeper Asmir Begovic is believed to have taken exception to explanation for being sidelined

The confrontation did not turn violent, nor did it take place in view of any other members of the Bournemouth squad.

The argument is not believed to have led to Howe’s decision to omit Begovic from his team in recent weeks.

Begovic has been replaced by Artur Boruc in the starting XI for Bournemouth’s last three games, casting doubt on his role for the rest of the season.

Begovic has been replaced by Artur Boruc (right) in the starting XI for last three games

Despite the argument, sources claim Begovic remains fully committed to Bournemouth and will be striving to win back his place in the side.

Club sources were at pains to play the incident down on Wednesday, insisting it was a routine meeting of the type which occurs regularly between the Bournemouth manager and his players.

Howe is keen to move on from the flashpoint, but it remains to be seen whether he is willing to restore Begovic in a starting role.

The row is not believed to have led to Eddie Howe’s decision to omit Begovic recently

Since arriving from Stamford Bridge in May 2017, Begovic had established himself as Bournemouth’s No 1.

He started all of the club’s Premier League games last season and all 22 this campaign before being dropped for the match against West Ham last month.

Bournemouth travel to title-chasing Liverpool at the weekend.

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Make no mistake, this was a huge and ballsy Rangers win. Against a dogged opponent victory at Pittodrie prevented bitter rivals Celtic disappearing over the horizon in the Scottish Premiership while highlighting once again the enigmatic, schizophrenic side of striker Alfredo Morelos.

For 54 minutes here the Colombian international was virtually unplayable. He scored two superbly-taken goals and menaced Aberdeen’s defence to the point of distraction.

Yet when Morelos plays against Aberdeen he has a damaging tendency to see red. On the opening weekend of the season a petulant clash with Dons defender Scott McKenna resulted in a dismissal after 12 minutes, later rescinded on appeal.  

It was an eventful night for Alfredo Morelos, who scored twice before being given straight red

Morelos puts his fingers to his lips after giving Rangers a 2-1 advantage in the first half

Morelos and Scott McKenna (right) were both sent off for alleged stamps in this incident

When the teams played at Ibrox in early December he was sent off once again, this time for two yellow cards. Remarkably, lighting struck for a third time nine minutes into the second half of a typically frantic, tempestuous and engrossing clash between two bitter rivals.

To say Morelos was entirely to blame would be unfair. Once again a clash with McKenna was the catalyst, the defender kicking out before the South American retaliated by planting a boot in a sensitive region of the Scotland defender’s anatomy. 

The red card for McKenna from referee Bobby Madden was swift. Prostrate on the ground receiving treatment, it took time for Morelos to rise to his feet. The final outcome was the same.

The red cards will inevitably overshadow a terrific game of football featuring six goals, contentious incidents and, yes, another Rangers penalty scored by James Tavernier.

The first half was a breathless affair of four goals. By scoring three of them Rangers placed themselves in a match-winning position; albeit one a little too close for comfort in the dying stages. 

Morelos netted his 22nd goal of the season to get Rangers off to the perfect start at Pittodrie

Morelos celebrates alongside his Rangers team-mates after netting against Aberdeen

It didn’t take long for Aberdeen to level things up; Sam Cosgrove fired past Allan McGregor

Third-placed Aberdeen celebrated after levelling against second-placed Rangers at Pittodrie

In those opening 45 minutes we witnessed the gifted side of Morelos; the fine footballer of formidable finishing prowess. So often missing against the Pittodrie side this season, the South American looked unplayable. Aberdeen finally learned what Rangers had been missing.

Morelos looked in the mood from the moment he dragged a low shot wide of the far post in 15 minutes. Already three minutes longer than he lasted before being sent off on the opening day of the season – the card was later rescinded – he was merely finding his range.

Ryan Kent created space for a thumping right-foot angled shot with his direct running and pace four minutes later. Dons keeper Joe Lewis pushed the ball away unconvincingly, but only as far as Morelos, the Colombian calmly slotting the ball into the net from 10 yards.

Aberdeen had been here before. On that opening weekend Bruce Anderson’s late strike earned a 1-1 draw and this time the home side responded a good deal sooner.

It took half an hour for Sam Cosgrove to continue his impressive run of goals.

Good work by Greg Stewart on the right flank ended in a cross being headed clear by Connor Goldson, back in the Rangers starting line-up after injury. The ball landed at the feet of Lewis Ferguson, the midfielder’s first time volley once again blocked by Goldson before falling perfectly for Cosgrove to slot low into the bottom corner of the net for Aberdeen’s equaliser.

For Rangers the game was in danger of falling into a damaging pattern. An early recent goal at Kilmarnock did nothing to prevent a self-inflicted defeat. The questions asked of the Ibrox side’s mentality that night were swiftly answered here. 

Morelos was again on the scoresheet to put Rangers back in front, before celebrating wildly

Morelos enjoyed scoring against Aberdeen, who he had twice been sent off against this season

Morelos roars his delight after putting Rangers 2-1 ahead in their huge Premiership clash

Ryan Kent was again instrumental in the 37th-minute strike which regained the lead, linking the attack after driving midfield play from Ryan Jack. Yet the key figure, once again, was Morelos.

The space afforded to the Rangers top scorer by Aberdeen on the edge of the 18-yard box was suicidal, Tommie Hoban standing off long enough to allow the striker to pass a delightful, sublime finish calmly into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Following the rancour and fall-out of the weekend it was almost pre-ordained that Rangers would win another penalty – their 10th of the season. Yet there could be no arguing with this one.

With three minutes to the interval James Tavernier’s cross was flicked towards the penalty spot by the head of Goldson. What happened next was inexplicable. Scott McKenna won’t look back on the night with fond memories after throwing his arm inexplicably into the air to claim for a non existent free-kick just as the ball came in his direction. 

It was a clear spot kick and James Tavernier, placed in the bizarre situation of taking his fourth penalty in two matches, swept it into the net for 3-1 despite Lewis getting a hand to the ball.

It was natural to think, then, that Rangers had the points in the bag. Natural, but premature. 

Steven Gerrard barks instructions to his Rangers stars from the technical area on Wednesday

James Tavernier added to Rangers’ advantage shortly after half-time, making the score 3-1

Full back, and Rangers captain, Tavernier celebrates with his team-mates after his goal

Within two minutes of the restart Aberdeen had a penalty kick of their own. This time Tavernier conceded it rather than scoring. Again, it was a solid decision by referee Madden.

Trying to defend an Aberdeen corner the Rangers captain wrestled Lewis Ferguson to the ground. The Rangers protests were lengthy, but pointless. Despite the delay, Cosgrove slotted his 12th goal in 13 games from 12 yards. The home side were back in the game.

Moments later Morelos could have sealed the points after creeping in behind the Aberdeen defence to go one on one with Joe Lewis. Credit the Dons keeper for spreading himself and making himself big.

Buoyed by the escape Gary Mackay-Steven’s twisting, turning solo run came to within inches of making it 3-3 after 53 minutes, the winger’s effort flashing wide of the upright. 

Tavernier then gave away a penalty at the other end, which was duly dispatched by Cosgrove

The match then took a violent turn as the referee dished out red cards to McKenna and Morelos

Morelos’ straight red was his third sending off against Aberdeen this season, and fourth overall

Oddly, the red cards removed much of the sting from a game building up quite a head of steam, chances at a premium until the final stages of the game. The time needed to treat – then red card – Morelos prompted seven minutes of injury time.

Greg Stewart was denied a leveller when his snap-shot through a crowd of bodies was pawed away by Allan McGregor in a crowded area.

Aberdeen’s hopes were finally extinguished in the 94th minute. A swift Rangers breakaway ended with a Tavernier pass to Jermain Defoe, a substitute for Daniel Candeias with 70 minutes to play. 

With one steadying touch the former England striker smashed the ball past Lewis to scenes of jubiliation and joy in the Rangers technical area. They, as much as anyone, knew how big a win this was.

You’ve got to hand it to Celtic. The players seem to fall like nine-pins. The games come along like snowflakes in a blizzard. Yet still they move onwards and upwards.

By rights, this ought to have been the most taxing of assignments. An absentee list like a school register and a Hibs team enjoying something of a free swing until their managerial situation is clarified might well have made for a major bump in the road. Not a bit of it.

Having laboured towards the end of the last calendar year, Brendan Rodgers’ side have started this one like a train. That’s six assignments now ticked off in short order, 16 goals scored in the process and none conceded.

Oliver Burke completed the scoring for Celtic to maintain their momentum at the top of table

Ryan Christie had given the hosts the lead after 23 minutes despite a slew of injuries

You don’t need a map and a compass to locate the source of the improvement. After a string of hugely underwhelming transfer windows, this month, Celtic have got serious.

On the limited evidence to date, Timothy Weah, Oliver Burke and Jeremy Toljan are the answers to the questions that were increasingly being asked.

They each played their part in this routine win over a listless Hibs side and appear to be elevating the displays of those around them to new levels.

The fact Celtic remain just six points clear of Rangers will prevent any chickens being counted. If this is what Rodgers’ depleted outfit is doing to the competition, though, it goes without saying that it will take something extraordinary to prevent a full strength side doing likewise over the course of the next four months.

The only black cloud over Rodgers on the night was the sight of Emilio Izaguirre being stretchered off near the end after a woeful challenge by Hibs substitute Darnell Johnson that, remarkably, was deemed only worthy of a yellow card by referee Craig Thomson.

For Celtic at the moment, if it wasn’t for bad luck on that front, they’d have none at all.

For all injury lists can be conveniently talked up, there was no question that Celtic were only a broken goalkeeper’s finger away from having a fairly tasty side sidelined through injury, illness or suspension.

Dedryck Boyata’s return to central defence was the main upside for Rodgers. The Celtic manager handed Toljan his first start and rewarded Weah’s telling impact at Perth with his second start.

Eddie May’s third game in charge, probably two more than he’d bargained for, saw Ryan Gauld and Sean Mackie displace Stevie Mallan and Marvin Bartley.

You suspect an outbreak of the plague won’t keep Callum McGregor out of Rodgers’ side these days. This was the midfielder’s 50th outing of the season for club and country. Not that you’d have known it.

Seizing possession 40 yards from goal, he executed and one-two with Burke which allowed him to get an early shot away. Only a fine block by his namesake Darren prevented Ofir Marciano being called into action.

Christie served notice of what was to come with a timely picking of Olly Shaw’s pocket 30 yards out. The Hibs keeper cut a relieved figure as the resultant shot whistled past the post. Ominously for the visitors, Celtic were getting into gear.

Christie continued his fine goalscoring form for Celtic with the opener in the first half

Midfielder Callum McGregor impressed on his 50th outing of the season for club and country

Another McGregor slide-rule pass saw Weah time his run to perfection. Fortunately for Hibs, Marciano advanced from his line and sprawled to block.

Hibs saw plenty of the ball in the opening exchanges. Too often, however, Gauld’s touch or balance let him down and promising attacks came to nothing. Mark Milligan’s wild slash at Flo Kamberi’s cross was as good as it got in front of goal.

Scott Sinclair looked like someone relishing the added competition the January window has brought. He glided away from a succession of challenges before curling a shot just over the top and generally looked like someone who was back in the groove.

The opening goal was a masterclass in movement and weight of pass. Toljan had impressed in the second half in Perth on Sunday and looked at home in his new surroundings from the first whistle.

Waiting patiently for the right opening to present itself, the German took out two opponents with a gentle prod with his right foot. Weah was on his wavelength and had seen Christie looming before he’d even rested his foot on the ball. The midfielder fired a low shot across the goal and found the only square foot of the net that Marciano couldn’t reach.

Darnell Johnson was lucky to receive only a yellow card for a nasty tackle on Emilio Izaguirre

Weah was desperate to get in on the act but found Marciano’s frame rather than the corner of the net with a low drive from a central position.

Milligan’s booking for scything down Christie was indicative of Hibs’ growing frustration. Hopes of an unlikely leveller before the break were snuffed out by Boyata’s covering tackle to deny Shaw a clear run on goal.

Mark McNulty replaced the ineffective Olly Shaw at the break for May’s men.

Scott Brown’s booking for going through Milligan came with an air of revenge but naturally no apology.

Another sumptuous Toljan delivery sent Weah flying down the right. Sinclair gathered the American’s crops but couldn’t direct it on target.

Christie did work Marciano after Weah played him in seconds later but there was no pace in his stabbed effort.

Burke’s pace and power worried Hibs all night. He skipped away from Paul Hanlon with embarrassing ease only to chose the wrong option by trying to beat the keeper at his near post.

Izaguirre had to be stretchered off the field late on following the challenge from Johnson

Weah’s growing influence was illustrated by a cynical foul on him by Kamberi which brought the game’s third booking.

It was only a question of how long Hibs could stray in the contest. Marciano kept his side believing when he beat away Boyata’s point=blank header from Christie’s free-kick the second goal seemed only a matter of time.

McGregor – who else? – was its instigator with a intelligent clip to Burke. The on-loan West Brown man was intent on trying his luck from the second the ball came to him. Darren McGregor gambled by going to ground and could only look to the heavens as the ball spun off him, up and over Marciano and into the net.

The game would have petered out had it not been for a desperate challenge by Hibs substitute Johnson on Izaguirre. As the Honduran was stretchered off, the yellow card Thomson had flashed seconds earlier looked ridiculously lenient. 

Celtic are six points clear at the top having won six consecutive games and scored 16 goals

The hosts applaud their home supporters after completing a routine victory over Hibernian