At 15:15 GMT on 24 January 2019, after a "very thorough and extensive search" including 80 hours of combined searching undertaken by three planes, five helicopters and two lifeboats,[1] Guernsey Police announced that they had called off the search for the plane or survivors.[2] The decision led to calls worldwide for the search to continue which included numerous other footballers, including fellow Argentine players Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Agüero and former player Diego Maradona.[42][43] The president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, stated his intention to issue a formal request to the British and French governments for the search to resume.[44] An online petition also attracted over 65,000 signatures and Sala's family later announced their intention to fund a private search.[44][45] Over £280,000 has been raised for a private search on GoFundMe started by Sports Cover,[46] a sports agency that represents Sala.[47] The funds enabled the search to resume on 26 January, with two boats being launched, led by marine scientist David Mearns.[46]