Cristiano Ronaldo slammed for posting airplane photo on the same day Emiliano Sala went missing

What's the story?

Juventus star Cristano Ronaldo has been slammed as being insensitive for posting a photo on social media from his private jet on the same day Cardiff City player Emiliano Sala went missing after an airplane he was on disappeared off the radar in the English channel.

In case you didn't know...

Emiliano Sala was Cardiff City's record signing after having signed for the Bluebirds in a £15 million transfer deal. The 28-year-old was on his way from Nantes to Wales when the plane he was on vanished from the radar when it was passing over the English Channel at around 17:00 GMT on Monday.

Guernsey Police, who officially conducted the search, have confirmed that while several objects were seen floating in the water, there were no signs of anyone on board. The search was thereby temporarily suspended and will resume at sunrise today.

According to the police, any chances of survival are slim: "During the course of the 15-hour search, which used multiple air and sea assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France, a number of floating objects have been seen in the water," Guernsey Police said on Twitter.

"We have been unable to confirm whether any of these are from the missing aircraft."

"We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim."

1/2During the course of the 15-hour search, which used multiple air and sea assets from the Channel Islands, UK and France, a number of floating objects have been seen in the water. We have been unable to confirm whether any of these are from the missing aircraft.

— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) January 22, 2019

2/2 We have found no signs of those on board. If they did land on the water, the chances of survival are at this stage, unfortunately, slim.Two planes and a lifeboat are still searching. A decision about an overnight search will be taken shortly

— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) January 22, 2019

17.00 update Search and rescue operations have been suspended as the sun has now set. The current plan is for it to resume at sunrise tomorrow. There will be no further updates tonight.

— Guernsey Police (@GuernseyPolice) January 22, 2019

The heart of the matter

While the rest of the football world is pouring out their support for the Argentine, Juventus star Ronaldo has gotten himself in hot water after posting a smiling photo of himself on a private plane on Twitter.

😀🛫👍 pic.twitter.com/zC80kfMES8

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) January 22, 2019

The Tweet caused an uproar as his followers believe it was insensitive and ill-timed, given the current atmosphere. Among the followers was pundit Gary Lineker, who voiced his disapproval on the social media platform, saying "Not the day for this tweet. It really isn’t."

He added, "I’m sure he’s done it without knowledge or awareness, but perhaps someone could let him know."

Not the day for this tweet. It really isn’t. https://t.co/61y6cgEzm0

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 22, 2019

Other fans also weighed in on the matter, with criticisms varying from "classless" to the tweet not being posted at the right time.

It's tone deaf, that tweet from Ronaldo, and if you're one of the many people replying to Gary to say it's fine, then you're tone deaf too. When athletes - any celebrities - tweet they need some awareness of the world around them, and to know that it doesn't revolve around them. https://t.co/ycQzRlAJLb

— Lewis Wiltshire (@LewisWiltshire) January 22, 2019

Where is his team to tell him today is t the right day to post this at all? :( so sad

— Layla Anna-Lee (@Laylaloves) January 22, 2019

Being abused for saying the very same thing 🤷🏼‍♂️. Lack of class and awareness is staggering.

— Duncan Wright (@dwright75) January 22, 2019

Some humility would be a good thing today! A bit inappropriate... says it all!

— Lorraine Scott (@ladynairn) January 22, 2019

Still, James Dyson still comes second in the twat stakes to Ronaldo tweeting from a private jet on the day a footballer almost certainly died in a plane crash, having just spent €19m to avoid jail for tax evasion doesn't he? https://t.co/8xjKUfUvdq

— Jamie East (@jamieeast) January 22, 2019

Do you have any class at all???

— Adam Williams (@AdamWilliams12_) January 22, 2019

What's next?

While the world awaits news on Sala, Ronaldo returns to Turin after appearing in a Madrid court to plead guilty for tax fraud. His side will face Lazio in the Serie A next Monday.