A court in Nantes has scheduled a hearing for 22nd September to deal with the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and Nantes over compensation following the tragic death of Emiliano Sala.
Sala, a 28-year-old striker from Argentina, died on 21st January 2019 when the small plane flying him to Cardiff crashed into the English Channel. The accident happened just two days after he signed for the then Premier League club.
The two clubs have been in disagreement ever since.
In 2023, the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that Sala’s transfer to Cardiff had been completed. As a result, FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes just over €11 million (around £9.65 million at the time), which covered the final two instalments of the €17 million transfer fee.
Cardiff, who were relegated from the Premier League that same season, responded by launching legal action of their own. They claim that Nantes, through their agent Willie McKay, organised the flight and should be held responsible.
Cardiff also argue that the crash and their subsequent relegation cost the club around €120 million.
