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Cardiff’s £100m Negligence Case Over Emiliano Sala Begins in Nantes

The court will assess liability from submitted evidence, with a ruling not expected until spring 2026.

Overview

  • Proceedings open at 16:00 GMT Monday at the Nantes Commercial Court after a September adjournment.
  • Cardiff is seeking more than £100m in damages, including the £15m transfer fee and losses tied to relegation and the club’s value, according to filings.
  • Cardiff argues the fatal unlicensed flight was arranged by an agent acting for Nantes, citing communications involving Willie McKay, while Nantes denies liability.
  • The judge will first deliver an initial case summary from the submitted dossier, then hear legal arguments from both sides, with no witnesses scheduled.
  • Emiliano Sala died in the January 2019 English Channel crash; flight organiser David Henderson was jailed for 18 months, Sala’s body was recovered, and pilot David Ibbotson was not found.