Cardiff City lose compensation claim against Nantes over death of Emiliano Sala

By Mathilde Grandjean, Press Association

Cardiff City FC’s claim for compensation against Nantes following the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash has been thrown out by a French court.

The tribunal of Nantes, announcing its decision on Monday, ordered Cardiff to pay more than £400,000 to the French club.

The Welsh club had previously sought damages of more than £100 million from the French outfit in a negligence claim, covering the Argentinian striker’s £15 million transfer fee and losses of other potential earnings.

But the Tribunal de Commerce de Nantes ruled on Monday Nantes were not liable for negligence over Sala’s death.

Cardiff have been ordered to pay Nantes 300,000 euros in damages, and an additional 180,000 euros – coming to a total sum of 480,000 euros (£416,594), a lawyer for the Welsh club said.

The 28-year-old striker died on January 21 2019 alongside pilot David Ibbotson, 59, when the light aircraft they were travelling in from France crashed into the English Channel – two days after Cardiff had announced the signing of the Argentine forward from Nantes.

The Welsh club had claimed Nantes was responsible because the flight had been organised by football agent William “Willie” McKay, who was enlisted by the French club.

The world of football must take a hard look at itself

A statement issued by Cardiff FC on Monday read: “We deeply regret that the court did not recognise FC Nantes’ liability in this tragedy.

“We initiated these proceedings so that the full truth of this case could come to light, in respect of Emiliano Sala’s memory.

“How is it possible that, in the end, FC Nantes — which never contributed to the support fund we launched in memory of Emiliano — paid more money to Willie McKay (1.5 million euros) than to the Sala family?

“More than ever, there is an urgent need to strengthen safety and ethical standards in the management and protection of players, so that such a tragedy can never happen again.

“The world of football must take a hard look at itself.”

In 2021, businessman David Henderson was jailed for 18 months after he was convicted of endangering the safety of the aircraft, after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

He had also pleaded guilty to another charge of trying to arrange a flight for a passenger without permission or authorisation.

The Press Association has approached FC Nantes for comment.