Sala transfer: Cardiff hang on to transfer cash as Nantes claim deal was completed

April 16 – Cardiff City have submitted evidence to FIFA in their dispute with Nantes over the £15 million transfer fee for the late Emiliano Sala.

Cardiff have so far refused to make an interim payment towards the fee for the Argentine striker who died in January when the light aircraft carrying him to Cardiff two days after he signed crashed into the sea.

The circumstances of his transfer have been plunged into controversy with Cardiff, for whom Sala never played because of his untimely death, not yet complying with Nantes’ request for payment of the first instalment.

The Premier League club claim the deal was not legally binding. Nantes referred the dispute to FIFA, who granted an extension for the clubs to submit their evidence.

Recently, Cardiff offered Nantes direct talks in an effort to settle the dispute, after FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he hoped the clubs could reach an agreement. But now the matter seems likely to be adjudicated by FIFA.

Cardiff claim Nantes’ conditions for completion of the deal were not fulfilled and Sala was not registered as a Premier League player. Nantes counter-claim the required paperwork was completed and they were fully compliant with FIFA regulations.

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