French Court Orders Cardiff to Pay Nantes €480,000 in Sala Case

Overview

• The Tribunal Commercial de Nantes ordered Cardiff City to pay FC Nantes €480,000, bringing the long-running dispute to a close.
• Cardiff had pursued €122 million, saying Emiliano Sala’s death caused major sporting and financial losses for the club.
• In its claim, Cardiff alleged negligence in how the flight was arranged and pointed to the involvement of agent Willie McKay.
• Nantes’ lawyer said the ruling confirmed the club bore no responsibility. He also called Cardiff’s legal push “judicial harassment.”
• Sala, 28, died in a January 2019 plane crash over the English Channel after his €17 million move from Nantes to Cardiff was confirmed. Cardiff later argued his absence contributed to a season that ended third from bottom with 34 points.