News
Pilot Admits He Arranged illegal Flight That Crashed into The Channel Causing The Deaths of Cardiff Striker Emiliano Sala
A pilot admitted organising the flight that crashed into the Channel causing the deaths of a footballer and another pilot.
David Henderson, 67, pleaded guilty to one charge over the death of striker Emiliano Sala, 28, who was killed on the trip to Britain from his French club to join Cardiff City.
Henderson admitted that he was the operator when his plane took payment for Sala to fly “without permission or authorisation” from outside Britain.
The formal charge read: “On the 21/1/19 as the operator of aircraft registration N264DB attempted to cause N264DB an aircraft register elsewhere that the UK to discharge a passenger Emiliano Sala at Cardiff in the UK for valuable consideration without permission or authorisation.”
He is denying another charge after recruiting fellow pilot David Ibbotson, 59, as a last-minute stand-in to fly the single-engine Piper Malibu from France to Cardiff airport.
But a court has heard he allegedly did not have a commercial licence and was “not competent” to fly in bad weather.
The two-week trial is due to start tomorrow(tues) after the jury are questioned before being sworn in – including being asked if they are fans of Cardiff City.
Argentine striker Sala was on his way to the UK to play for Cardiff City in a £15m move from French side Nantes when the small plane crashed, killing both Sala and pilot Mr Ibbotson.
Sala’s body was recovered the following month, but the body of Ibbotson, of Crowle, Lincs, has not been found.
Henderson was originally feared to be on the plane because his bank details had been used to book the flight. But he allegedly recruited Mr Ibbotson for the flights that weekend heading to and from France both with Sala on board.
He flew from Cardiff on January 18 before the fatal flight from Nantes on January 21.
The court heard Henderson was charged with two offences under the Air Navigation Order (2016).
An earlier court heard Mr Ibbotson “did not have a commercial pilot’s licence or a licence that had expired in December 2018.”
The charge stated Henderson knew that “bad weather was forecast and Mr Ibbotson was not competent to fly in that weather.”
He also denied a charged related to Mr Ibbotson not having a commercial pilot’s licence at the time of the flight, with it having expired in November 2018. It also related to the bad weather which was forecast for the fatal return journey from Nantes to Cardiff, with the pilot not being “competent to fly in such weather”.
Henderson, of the East Riding of Yorkshire, will face a two week trial in front of a High Court Judge Mr Justice Foxton in the prosecution brought by the Civil Aviation Authority.
Sala’s family living in Argentina are not expected in court to hear the trial.
Josh2Funny’s Album Has Fans Talking — But Should He Stick To Music Or Skits? 😂🎶
Nigerian comedian and content creator Josh2Funny has taken his comedy game into music, and Nigerians are definitely having something to say about it.
The comedian released his 15-track album, “On Behalf of Josh,” on July 10, 2026, but instead of fading away after release, the project has continued to generate conversations on X.
And the big question now is:
Should Josh2Funny continue with music or go back to skits? 😂
Fans have been divided. While some listeners openly criticized the album and told him to return to comedy, others found songs they genuinely enjoyed.
One X user joked:
“Josh2Funny stopped doing skits and started music, Everybody wan chop this music money 😂”
Another simply said:
“This Josh2Funny Album no enter make he just go back skit abeg 😂”
But then came “Lembe.” 🔥
The track caught fire on X and eventually became a trending topic in Nigeria. The #LembeChallenge also gained momentum as creators began jumping on the song.
Josh2Funny later announced ₦1 million for winners of the challenge, giving the song another major push.
And it didn’t stop there.
‘INTERNATIONAL’ FT. ICE PRINCE ALSO TRENDED
On another day, “International” featuring Ice Prince generated its own buzz on X.
One fan even called it their favourite song from the album, while praising the collaboration. The post itself pulled thousands of views, showing that people weren’t only talking about Lembe.
From album criticism to trending songs and challenges, “On Behalf of Josh” has kept Josh2Funny’s name in the conversation.
Whether you love the album or think he should return to skits, one thing is clear:
Josh2Funny has succeeded in getting Nigerians talking. 😂🔥
So, let’s settle this once and for all:
Should Josh2Funny continue with MUSIC 🎶 or return to SKITS 😂?
Music or Skits? Drop your answer! 👇
East Ham, East London — 8 August 2026: The vibrant Igbo community in the UK came together for an unforgettable evening of entertainment, culture and social connection at Igbotic Game Night, one of the biggest social gatherings celebrating the Igbo community in the United Kingdom.
Among the night’s standout moments was an electrifying performance by Afrobeats artist Obeena, who took the stage and immediately captured the attention of the crowd.
Obeena delivered performances of two of his hit songs, “Wara Wara” and “Banging,” bringing his energetic sound and distinctive stage presence to the event. From the opening moments of his set, fans responded with excitement, singing along, dancing and enthusiastically supporting the artist.
His performance of “Wara Wara” created an instant connection with the audience, while “Banging” took the energy to another level. Obeena’s ability to engage the crowd transformed his set into one of the most memorable entertainment moments of the evening.
Held in East Ham, East London, on 8 August 2026, Igbotic Game Night provided a unique platform for members of the Igbo community to celebrate their heritage while enjoying music, games and social interaction. Events such as this continue to play an important role in bringing together Nigerians and the wider African diaspora in the UK.
For Obeena, the performance was another opportunity to showcase his growing artistry and connect directly with fans. His energetic delivery, stage confidence and ability to command the audience demonstrated why his live performances continue to attract attention.
By the end of his set, Obeena had left the crowd amazed and added another memorable chapter to his journey as an Afrobeats artist. His appearance at Igbotic Game Night was not simply a performance—it was a celebration of Nigerian music, culture and community.
With performances like this, Obeena continues to demonstrate his ambition to take his sound beyond the studio and onto major stages, connecting with audiences through music, energy and an unmistakable African identity.
Igbotic Game Night brought the Igbo community together. Obeena gave them a performance to remember.
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