Cardiff must pay more than 460,000 euros to Nantes for the Emiliano Sala case

A French court on Monday dismissed the claim for damages for negligence brought by Cardiff City FC against FC Nantes in relation to the death of Emiliano Sala more than seven years ago, for which the Welsh club must pay more than 460,000 euros.

Cardiff claimed compensation of more than €115 million, which covered the cost of Sala’s transfer, but also the loss of other potential income. The Argentine player died in January 2019 when the small plane in which he was traveling from France to join the Welsh club crashed in the English Channel.

Cardiff’s argument was that Nantes was responsible because the flight was organized by an agent, Willie McKay, hired by the French club. However, the Nantes court dismissed the claim this Monday and ordered Cardiff to pay more than 460,000 euros to the French club.

Cardiff issued a statement in which they “deeply regretted” that the court had not recognized “the responsibility of FC Nantes in this tragedy.” “We initiated this procedure so that the entire truth of this case would come to light, in respect for the memory of Emiliano Sala,” the text read.

“Today we note with bitterness that the principles of transparency, integrity and security in professional football have not prevailed in this decision, as illustrated by the impunity enjoyed by Willie McKay, a controversial and unlicensed agent, a situation that did not seem to concern Nantes and whose actions contributed to the deaths of two men,” they charged.

The Welsh club asked in its statement “how it is possible that Willie McKay can continue operating after such a tragedy.” “How is it possible that, in the end, Nantes – which never contributed to the support fund we launched in memory of Emiliano – paid more money to Willie McKay than to the Sala family?” the text continued.

“Now more than ever, there is an urgent need to reinforce safety and ethical standards in the management and protection of players, so that a tragedy like this never happens again. The world of football must do a deep examination of conscience,” the statement concluded.