Cardiff City has reignited their pursuit of €120 million in compensation from French club Nantes over the transfer of Emiliano Sala, who tragically died in a plane crash in 2019.
Sala was on his way back to Cardiff, having signed days earlier for the club, when the hired jet nosedived and crashed, killing everyone on board.
The Welsh club has enlisted the services of a specialist data firm to assess the potential impact of Sala’s presence on their Premier League fortunes.
In 2019, Cardiff City was ordered by FIFA to pay Nantes €17 million for Sala’s transfer. However, Cardiff believes Sala’s contribution would have secured their Premier League status, generating significantly more revenue.
*”Lost Revenue” Argument
Cardiff’s case hinges on the argument that Sala’s absence led to their relegation, resulting in substantial lost revenue. The data firm’s analysis will simulate the 2018-2019 season with Sala’s projected performances.
*Nantes’ Stance
Nantes maintains that Cardiff’s claims are baseless, arguing that the initial €17 million payment settled the transfer.
*FIFA’s Ruling
FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber ruled in Nantes’ favor, but Cardiff hopes the new evidence will prompt a reassessment.
*Emiliano Sala
Born on October 31, 1990, in Cululú, Santa Fe, Argentina, Sala began his football journey at local club San Martín de Progreso before moving to France in 2012 to join Girondins de Bordeaux.
He later played for Caen and Nantes, where he established himself as a prolific goal-scorer, earning the top scorer title for the club in Ligue 1 for the 2017-2018 season.
Sala’s impressive form caught the attention of Cardiff City, who signed him in January 2019, but sadly, he never got to don the Bluebirds’ jersey.
His untimely passing sparked an outpouring of tributes from the football community, with Nantes retiring his jersey number 9 and Cardiff City dedicating a statue outside their stadium.
The Argentine striker’s transfer from Nantes to Cardiff City had been finalized just days before the fatal accident, sparking a complex and contentious dispute.
The events that unfolded – Sala returning to Nantes, boarding a Piper Malibu aircraft, and disappearing over the English Channel – remain etched in the memories of football fans worldwide.
The aftermath of Sala’s death saw Cardiff City initially refusing to pay the transfer fee, citing unclear circumstances.
However, FIFA intervened, ordering Cardiff to pay Nantes €17 million.
Cardiff City appealed, claiming Sala was not officially registered as their player, and the dispute continues to this day.
Cardiff is now seeking additional compensation for lost revenue, estimated at €120 million, arguing that Sala’s absence led to their relegation from the Premier League.