Championship side Cardiff City must pay €6 million of the €15 million transfer fee agreed for Argentine striker Emiliano Sala following a meeting between the FIFA Players’ Status Committee. The forward had been due to join the Bluebirds from Ligue 1 side Nantes in January but died in a plane crash on his way to the Welsh capital.
Cardiff City to Pay €6 Million of Emiliano Sala Transfer Fee
The Meeting
A FIFA panel met last Wednesday to discuss the ruling surrounding the transfer. As Sala had only completed the medical for his move to Cardiff, they felt as though the transfer had not been formally completed – he was yet to gain international clearance. This was despite Cardiff announcing the signing of Sala on their website and social media platforms.
Both clubs are able to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and can request a copy of the grounds of the decision within 10 days.
The FIFA Players’ Status Committee did not impose procedural costs on either side.
Death of Emiliano Sala
Sala disappeared on January 21, 2019 when he was travelling from Nantes to Cardiff to join up with his new team. The plane he was travelling in, piloted by David Ibottson, lost contact with air traffic control over the Channel Islands near Alderney and a huge search and rescue mission was declared the next morning.
Sala was confirmed dead on February 7 and his body was recovered from the wreckage of the plane. The body of Ibottson was never found.
After police called off the search due to worsening weather conditions and finding no traces in the first days of the search, a private search was set up by Sala’s family – something that was backed by many footballers including Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and former player Diego Maradona.
Main Photo
