Cardiff’s Sala court action against Nantes adjourned

The court case against Nantes over Emiliano Sala’s death, which was supposed to start on September 22 and go on until December, has been postponed.

In April 2025, Cardiff sued Nantes in a French court, alleging losses of more than £100 million as a result of a dispute over striker Sala’s passing.

In January 2019, Sala, an Argentina striker, and pilot David Ibbotson, both 28, died while flying from Nantes to South Wales to join their new club.

The statement continued, “Cardiff City FC reiterates its confidence in the French justice system and will be prepared to file a case on December 8.”

After being dropped from the Championship last year, Sala was due to join the Welsh club, which was later relegated to League One.

After the Swiss Federal Tribunal determined that the Court of Arbitration in Sport (Cas) was not competent to handle the Bluebirds’ claim for damages, they have chosen to pursue a separate legal action against Nantes.

After initially refusing to pay Nantes the first installment of the £15 million transfer fee, the world’s governing body Fifa placed an end to Cardiff’s transfer ban.

After a failed appeal with Cas, the club paid that sum in January 2023. Fifa sanctions were lifted with that payment.