Cardiff City's £104 million compensation claim against FC Nantes over the death of Emiliano Sala has been dismissed by a French commercial court. The Argentine striker died in a plane crash in January 2019 while travelling to join the club.
Sala, 28, had signed for Cardiff from Nantes for £15 million. He and pilot David Ibbotson died when their Piper Malibu jet crashed over the English Channel. Cardiff argued that Sala's presence would have kept the club in the Premier League, claiming loss of income and other damages.
The court also ordered Cardiff to pay approximately £400,000 in legal fees and moral damages to Nantes. The payment is due immediately, regardless of any appeal. Cardiff have not yet decided whether to appeal; their legal representatives said they would take time to reflect on the verdict.
Before the hearing, Cardiff released a statement accusing Nantes of relying on a banned agent, Willie McKay, who allegedly organised the fatal flight. The club said the tragedy could have been avoided and called for greater accountability in football transfers. Sala's mother attended the court for the verdict.
