Nantes have retired the No.9 shirt in memory of their former forward Emiliano Sala .
The Argentine’s body was recovered from the English Channel and formally identified on Thursday night – almost three weeks after his plane crashed en route to Cardiff.
Nantes changed their official club website to only show a photo of Sala with the words ‘Noue ne t’oublierons jamais, Emi!’ which translates as “We will never forget you, Emi!”
And club president Waldemar Kita has revealed they plan to retire Sala’s old shirt number.
He said: “I don’t have the words. It’s a tragedy, I’m crushed. Emiliano left his mark. That’s why, like may fans, I wish to honour him by retiring the No.9.”
All Ligue 1 and 2 games will hold a minute’s applause before kick-off this weekend as a mark of respect.
“Tonight and during the whole weekend, we will all be united in paying a last tribute to Emiliano before the matches kick off,” LFP President Nathalie Boy de la Tour said in a statement.
Cardiff also said that the forward will always remain in their thoughts.
The club said in a statement: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.
“He and David will forever remain in our thoughts.”
source: Mirror