Cardiff demands £104m for the tragic loss of Emiliano Sala

On 19 January 2019, Emiliano Sala tragically passed away while flying in a light aircraft to join his new club. In the aftermath, Cardiff City has steadfastly sought compensation from FC Nantes.

The transfer of Emiliano Sala from French club FC Nantes to British side Cardiff City was notably one of the most discussed events in football history, primarily due to the subsequent tragedy.

Sadly, the Argentine player lost his life in a plane crash while travelling from France to Wales. The aircraft carrying Sala crashed into the English Channel.

The incident sparked a prolonged dispute over the transfer payment, which remains unresolved. Initially agreed at £15 million, Cardiff City baulked at paying the French club in the wake of the tragedy. However, FIFA later ruled that Cardiff must fulfil at least the first instalment of the transfer fee, amounting to just over £5 million.

Unwilling to accept this outcome, Cardiff continued to fight. They launched a legal action in a French court, demanding as much as £95 million (converted from 110 million euros) for the "lost income due to the tragic death of Emiliano Sala".

Recent reports from the French newspaper "L'Equipe" indicate that Cardiff seeks £104 million (converted from 120 million euros) in damages. This escalation is based on expert analysis suggesting that Sala's presence could have significantly boosted the club's chances of avoiding relegation.

Even though it has been five years since Sala's untimely death in mid-January, the dispute between the Welsh club and FC Nantes continues. Cardiff remains determined to pursue compensation despite having only paid out funds so far.