DETECTIVES investigating the death of footballer Emiliano Sala have arrested a North Yorkshire man on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

Sala, 28, had just signed for Cardiff City when a plane carrying him crashed into the English Channel north of Guernsey on January 21.

Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police, said: "As part of this investigation we have to consider whether there is any evidence of any suspected criminality and as a result of our inquiries we have arrested a 64-year-old man from the North Yorkshire area on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.

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

Family liaison officers have been updating the families of Mr Sala and David Ibbotson, the pilot of the plane that lost contact with Air Traffic Control north of Guernsey.

The body of Mr Ibbotson, 59, from Crowle, Lincolnshire, who was flying the plane from Nantes in France to Cardiff on January 21, has not yet been located.

Det Insp Huxter added: "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."