Cardiff City players wear t-shirts with Emiliano Sala's face on them

Cardiff City stadium was flooded with tributes to footballer Emiliano Sala ahead of the team’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth today as players warmed up in shirts adorned with the missing striker’s face.

Hundreds of Cardiff City fans were seen laying scarves, daffodils and caps inscribed with Sala’s name outside Cardiff City Stadium in their first home game since the footballer’s disappearance.

A picture of Sala adorned the big screen inside the stadium as everyone observed a ‘moment’s reflection’ for the striker and the pilot captaining their ill-fated flight across the Channel.

Cardiff were able to see out the game and win 2-0 in an emotionally charged day that saw a tearful Neil Warnock salute the fans after the final whistle.

Goalscorer, Bobby Reid said after the game on his touching celebration honouring Sala: ‘The lads have had a tough few weeks so it was good to do that for him [Sala] and his family.’

BT Sport co-commentator, John Hartson, said during the game that he’s sure that Cardiff manager Neil Warnock would have told his players: ‘Go and win the game for Sala and his family.’

Within five minutes Cardiff went 1-0 up, with the scorer – Bobby Reid – hoisting a shirt with Sala’s face on it in celebration. He scored again at the start of the second half and seemed to pound the Sala tribute on his chest.

The commentator said of the Cardiff fans: ‘Emiliano Sala will forever be a part of their folklore. He certainly has a place in everybody’s hearts here, the signing they never saw.’

One tribute in the crowd read: ‘Emiliano Sala, forever a Bluebird.’