Two Southampton fans detained for mocking Emiliano Sala

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Two fans of Premier League's Southampton were arrested after they were pictured making airplane gestures in the game against Cardiff City on Saturday to mock Emiliano Sala, former striker of Cardiff City who died in a plane crash.

This was the first game after Sala's body in the wreckage of the crashed plane was confirmed on Thursday. Players of the two teams stood in silent tribute to Sala wearing black armbands. However, the unreasonable acts of the two fans was an embarrassment.

"Such behavior 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," said Southampton in a statement.

In a video spread across social media, fans of Cardiff City that came to watch the away game noticed the disgusting gestures and could be heard shouting "sick." The two home fans were ejected and were arrested by Hampshire Police. They could face a three-year ban from home games of Southampton.

Cardiff City staff pay respect to Emiliano Sala in the away game against Southampton, February 9. /VCG Photo

In the end, Cardiff City claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to a 93rd-minute game-winning goal by Kenneth Zohore.

Sala was an Argentinian striker who joined Cardiff City from Ligue 1's Nantes in January. The English club paid 19.2 million U.S. dollars, the most ever in their history, to get Sala. His death hurt both Cardiff and Nantes. Sala's former French employer retired his No.9 jersey on Friday to pay tribute to him.

"I don't have the words. It's a tragedy, I'm crushed. Emiliano left his mark. That's why, like many fans, I wish to honor him by retiring the No.9," said Waldemar Kita, president of Nates.