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French judge dismisses Cardiff City's compensation bid
A court in Nantes has thrown out Cardiff City's demand for over £100 million in damages following the death of footballer Emiliano Sala, ruling the Welsh club is not entitled to compensation from FC Nantes.
The crash and its aftermath
Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, and pilot David Ibbotson died when their Piper Malibu aircraft plunged into the English Channel on 21 January 2019. Sala was en route to join Cardiff City, then a Premier League side, after a £15 million transfer from FC Nantes.
Court ruling and financial penalties
On Monday, the Nantes court dismissed Cardiff's claim for more than €120 million (£104 million), which included alleged lost income and other damages. The club had argued Sala's signing could have helped them avoid relegation.
The judge also ordered Cardiff to pay approximately £400,000 in legal costs and moral damages to FC Nantes. The penalty is due immediately, regardless of any potential appeal.
Possible appeal and next steps
Cardiff City has one month to decide whether to challenge the ruling. An appeal would be heard by the Court of Appeal in Rennes and could take up to two years to resolve, involving a full retrial of the case.
Capital Law, representing Cardiff, stated it would take time to review the verdict before making a decision. Celine Jones, a partner at the firm, expressed disappointment, saying the club had sought to uncover the full truth in honour of Sala's memory.
"Today we note with great bitterness that the principles of transparency, integrity and safety in professional football have not prevailed in this decision. More than ever, there is an urgent need to strengthen safety and ethical standards in player management to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again. The football world must reflect deeply on itself."
Celine Jones, Capital Law
Reactions from FC Nantes
Sala's mother, Mercedes Taffarel, attended the hearing alongside Cardiff representatives. FC Nantes' lawyers, Jérome Marsaudon and Louis Marie Absil, welcomed the ruling in a joint statement.
"FC Nantes is in no way responsible for the tragedy that occurred, and we are pleased the court has confirmed this in clear terms."
Jérome Marsaudon and Louis Marie Absil, FC Nantes attorneys
