NO FURTHER action will be taken against a man arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the plane crash that killed footballer Emiliano Sala.

Dorset Police have ended their investigation of the 64-year-old from North Yorkshire who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by unlawful act on June 19 last year.

Mr Sala, 28, had just signed for Cardiff City when the plane he was travelling in, piloted by David Ibbotson, crashed into the English Channel, north of Guernsey, on January 21, 2019.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police’s major crime investigation team, said: “We have carried out a detailed examination into the circumstances of Mr Sala’s death, this has been a complex investigation involving the examination of a large amount of evidence and in liaison with a range of organisations.

“We have worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) during our investigation and we are now able to confirm that Dorset Police will not be seeking a formal charging decision by the CPS in relation to homicide offences.”

The Argentinian striker was flying from Nantes in France to his new club when the Piper Malibu aircraft plunged into the Channel.

His body was recovered and later brought to Portland, Dorset, but Mr Ibbotson, aged 59, has not been found.

Detectives began carrying out enquiries into the circumstances of the death on behalf of HM Coroner. These enquiries included investigating the circumstances in an effort to establish whether there was evidence of third party culpability as a result of Mr Sala’s death.

As a result, a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire who was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act on Wednesday 19 June 2019, will not be the subject of further action with regard to that offence.

Detective Inspector Huxter said: “An investigation into the operation of the flight continues and this is being led by the CAA and therefore it would be inappropriate for us to make any further comment at this time.

“We have updated the family of Mr Sala and Mr Ibbotson with regard to this development and it goes without saying that our thoughts remain with them, as a result of their unimaginable loss.

“Dorset Police will continue to support the investigation being carried out by the CAA and carry out enquiries on behalf of HM Coroner as part of the inquest process in the hope that the answers that the families of both men seek are provided, which is nothing short of what they thoroughly deserve.”