Bad timing or bad taste?
Whatever your opinion is, Cristiano Ronaldo is coming in for some almighty criticism after he posted a selfie from a private jet soon after confirmation that new Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala was on board a plane which disappeared over the English Channel.
How did Ronaldo's post come about?
The Juventus striker was in Spain on Tuesday for a court case in which he accepted a fine and suspended jail term for tax fraud.
His Madrid court appearance lasted about 15 minutes and he signed a deal to settle the case for about €18.8 million (Dh78.4m).
He was pictured outside the court with his Spanish fiancee Georgina Rodriguez and signed a few autographs before being whisked away.
He then posted the selfie from the private jet on his Instagram and Twitter accounts at about 12am UAE time.
What was the reaction?
It wasn't positive, that's for sure. Former England striker and TV presenter Gary Lineker was quick to respond, writing on social media: "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."
Thousands of social media users followed suit and condemned Ronaldo.
He surely didn't mean any harm?
In his defence, his focus during the day would have been on his court case rather than events elsewhere. He is, however, a role model to his hundreds of millions of followers and a message of thoughts and prayers for Sala's family and friends could have been a better option at that moment.
Sportsmen, like popstars and politicians, can be a toxic mix with social media, with their posts having a significant effect on younger generations in particular. While their posts can't be linked to all events happening around the world, they do have to be careful with their timing.
Fellow player Paul Pogba was heavily criticised for a post just hours after Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club.
The Frenchman was pictured looking smug next to a message saying "caption this". The pair were known to have had a difficult relationship with Pogba left on the bench during Mourinho's last few matches.
What happened to Sala?
Cardiff's club record signing was flying to the Welsh capital when the plane disappeared from radar about 20km north of the island of Guernsey on Monday night.
He is missing and presumed dead after a 15-hour search on Tuesday covering a 3,000-square-kilometre area in the sea spotted "a number of floating objects in the water", according to Guernsey police.
The search was due to resume at sunrise on Wednesday.
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Nantes supporters gather in Nantes after it was announced that the plane Argentinian forward Emiliano Sala was flying on vanished. AFP -
People hold a vigil for missing former Nantes player Emiliano Sala. EPA -
Nantes supporters gather in Nantes. AFP -
Nantes supporters gather and light candles over an Argentinian flag. AFP -
Nantes fans hold up club scarves during a gathering. AFP -
Nantes supporters lay flowers. AFP -
The 28-year-old Argentine striker is one of two people still missing after contact was lost with the light aircraft. AFP -
Nantes supporters light flares during the gathering. AFP -
Nantes supporters lay flowers. AFP -
Sala was on his way to the Welsh capital to train with his new teammates for the first time after completing a move to Cardiff City. AFP -
A Nantes supporter adds to the collection of flowers. AFP -
Club Atletico Social San Martin President Daniel Rivero holds a Nantes team jersey that was given to the club by Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala. AP Photo -
A view of the "Club Atletico y Social San Martin" where Emiliano Sala played soccer when he was young, in Progreso, Santa Fe province, Argentina. AFP -
A view of the "Club Atletico y Social San Martin" where Emiliano Sala played soccer when he was young, in Progreso, Santa Fe province, Argentina. AFP -
Horacio Sala, father of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala, stands outside his home in Progreso, Argentina. AP Photo -
Horacio Sala, father of Argentine soccer player Emiliano Sala, and his partner Carina Mercedes Taffarel embrace outside their home in Progreso, Argentina. AP Photo
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Read more:
Nantes fans hold vigil for missing striker Emiliano Sala - in pictures
