Emiliano Sala: Friends and family prepared for private search for missing Cardiff City striker as world of football backs calls to continue

Emiliano Sala's family and friends are planning to hire boats and privately continue the search for the Cardiff City footballer after authorities ended their hunt for Sala, the plane he went missing in and pilot David Ibbotson.

Sala's mother Mercedes, along with a number of the striker's friends, are travelling to the Channel Islands where the player's agent, Meissa N'Diaye, has recently arrived.

On Thursday, Guernsey harbour master Captain David Barker said "the chances of survival at this stage are extremely remote" as authorities called off the four-day search.

But Romina, Emiliano Sala's sister, made a plea from Cardiff for the rescue efforts to continue.

“We understand the facts and we really appreciate the efforts,” she said to media outside the St David’s Hotel. “We want to say thanks to the two clubs [Cardiff City and Nantes FC] and everyone who is looking for Emiliano, but my message is please, please, please don’t stop with the search. For me, they are still alive.

“It is very difficult to express my feelings at the moment because it is really hard.

“We have had a lot of support from the two clubs and I thank all the fans for their efforts, but deep down in the bottom of my heart I know that Emiliano – who is a fighter – is still alive. I know Emiliano and the pilot are somewhere in the middle of the Channel.

“We are not going to give up.

"Please help us with our petition to resume the search of my brother. Using social media or in any possible way.

READ MORE: Emiliano Sala - Sister of Cardiff footballer leads calls to resume search

"I know he is alive, I beg you, Please help!"

The family have been joined by some of the biggest names in Argentine football.

Head coach of the Argentina national team, Lionel Scaloni, called on authorities to continue searching for the missing forward.

"We want them to keep searching," he said.

"We are very concerned. We are completely behind the family and I hope we receive some good news soon."

Gonzalo Higuain, who signed for Chelsea this week, echoed those wishes in a video calling for the search to go on.

Sala's former club Nantes have reacted with anger at the decision to formally call off the search for his missing plane and demanded it be resumed.

"FC Nantes has learnt that the search for the missing plane was called off. This search mustn't stop.

"The club and its supporters strongly ask for the search to find Emiliano Sala to go on, for his family and his near relatives.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero tweeted: "We don't want to give up, we want to hold on to hope. That's why I also wish don't call off the search. From the start, my thoughts have been with Emiliano, his family and friends."

Another City player, Nicolas Otamendi, said: "I'd like to express my sympathies to Emiliano's family, and urge the police to keep searching for the plane. There's still hope to find them alive. All my support to his family, and let's hope they get an answer urgently."

The Premier League has said there will be a "moment of silent reflection" ahead of games next week.