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A 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act by detectives investigating the death of Cardiff City footballer Emiliano Sala, Dorset Police have said.

The striker was signed for a club-record fee of £15 million. Sala was on board a light aircraft that disappeared from radar over the Channel Islands on Monday, January 21.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT), said: "We have carried out a wide-ranging investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr Sala and continue to work with partner agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority.

"As part of this investigation we have to consider whether there is any evidence of any suspected criminality and as a result of our enquiries we have today, Wednesday, June 19, arrested a 64-year-old man from the North Yorkshire area on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

"He is assisting with our enquiries and has been released from custody under investigation.

"This matter therefore is still subject to a live investigation and I would ask the media and members of the public to refrain from speculation, as this could cause additional distress to the families involved as well as potentially hinder the investigation.

"As is standard practice, we will not be releasing any further information as to the identity of the individual who has been arrested unless that person is charged to appear in court and again would discourage any speculation in relation to this."

This video shows friends and family paying their respects at Sala's funeral:

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The pilot of the ill-fated flight was not qualified to fly at night, according to reports.

(Image: Getty Images)

Mr Ibbotson is understood to have been colour-blind, according to BBC Wales, which disqualifies pilots from being qualified to fly at night.

It is understood that colour-blindness prevents a pilot from being given clearance to fly at night because being able to tell the difference between green and red lights is essential and Mr Ibbotson did not hold a "night rating" on his UK private pilot's licence.

As a private pilot, Mr Ibbotson was also not allowed to accept payment for flying passengers.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch continues to investigate the tragedy.

Following Sala's death Cardiff City announced changes to protect travelling players and staff including insisting that negotiators use only commercially-licensed flights when handing player transfers.

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