Police detain Southampton fans caught 'mocking' Cardiff's Sala
ByPA Sport
Updated 09/02/2019 at 22:21 GMT
Police have detained two Southampton supporters who appeared to mock the death of Cardiff striker Emiliano Sala during Saturday’s Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium.
Players, officials and fans take part in a minute of silence in tribute to Emiliano Sala prior to the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Cardiff City at St Mary's Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom.
Image credit: Getty Images
The club has said they will ban the fans once they are identified.
Cardiff were in action for the first time since the striker’s body had been recovered from underwater wreckage in the English Channel and formally identified by the Dorset coroner.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2019/02/03/2515504-52208790-2560-1440.jpg)
Emiliano Sala
Image credit: Getty Images
The flight carrying Sala from Nantes to Cardiff following his £15million transfer to the Premier League club crashed into the sea near Alderney on January 21. Pilot David Ibbotson remains missing.
A minute’s silence had been impeccably observed as part of the tributes before kick-off at the game, which the Welsh side went on to win 2-1 with Kenneth Zohore’s dramatic goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
However, video later emerged on social media of two men in the home section of the stadium apparently making aeroplane gestures in the direction of the away fans.
Southampton confirmed both supporters had been spoken to by Hampshire Police and intended to take “an extremely firm stance” over the incident.
A statement issued on Saturday evening read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that two fans were detained and had their details taken by police during our match against Cardiff City on Saturday.
The club will continue to work with Hampshire Police to identify any individuals deemed to have made indecent gestures towards Cardiff supporters.
“Such behaviour has no place in our game and will not be tolerated at St Mary’s.
“The club will be taking an extremely firm stance against anyone involved and intends to ban those supporters identified.”
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement