FIFA PRESIDENT WADES INTO SALA TRANSFER SAGA

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wades into Emiliano Sala transfer dispute between Cardiff City and Nantes
By Dominic Booth


Friday 1st March 2019

The £15million fee Cardiff City were due to pay Nantes for the Argentinian striker has yet to be paid


FIFA president Gianni Infantino has waded into the row surrounding the Emiliano Sala transfer fee involving Cardiff City and Nantes, telling the two parties to reach an agreement.

Sala died in a plane crash on January 21 after agreeing a Bluebirds record transfer from the Ligue 1 side.

Nantes want the money to be paid in full — with three instalments expected — while Cardiff say they want to establish all the facts around the incident and transfer deal.

Infantino also confirmed FIFA had received a complaint from Nantes , who as things stand are yet to receive the first down payment of the £15million transfer fee.

Infantino said: “Nantes turned to Fifa.

“It’s a dispute over a contract but there is a human dimension to this drama that makes us more than sad.


“I would like to see the clubs find an agreement. If not, Fifa will deal with it.”


Cardiff deny knowledge of a February 27 deadline to make the first payment and, despite the publication of an interim report from investigators looking into the crash, the club still want more details about the crash.

The UK Air Accident Investigation Branch released their preliminary findings on Monday - which you can read the key points of here - but it could well take a year from the date of the tragic flight for the full findings to be released.

The full AAIB report could take a year from the date of the tragedy to be published, with reports suggesting Cardiff could wait until then before paying the money.


An official Bluebirds statement issued on Wednesday said: "Cardiff City remains committed to ensuring fairness and accountability with respect to the agreement between Cardiff City and FC Nantes, but first and foremost the relevant authorities must be allowed to determine the facts surrounding this tragedy.

"It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage."


It followed FIFA issuing a statement to WalesOnline, which said: "We can confirm that we have received [on Tuesday evening] a claim from FC Nantes against Cardiff City in connection with the transfer of Emiliano Sala.

"We are looking into the matter and consequently we have no further comments at this stage."

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