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Cardiff’s £100m Sala Damages Case Against Nantes Opens in French Court

Consular judges will weigh written evidence on liability for the fatal transfer flight, with a decision months away.

Overview

  • The Nantes commercial court begins the substantive hearing at 16:00 GMT, with no witnesses expected and arguments relying on pre-filed evidence.
  • Cardiff seeks about £105m (€120m) covering the £15m transfer fee and claimed financial losses linked to relegation after Emiliano Sala’s death in 2019.
  • Cardiff argues FC Nantes is liable because a banned agent, Willie McKay, acted for the French club and arranged an unlicensed charter; Nantes rejects responsibility.
  • Submitted evidence includes court-approved analysis from FC Analytics suggesting Sala could have increased Cardiff’s chance of Premier League survival by up to 62%.
  • FIFA and CAS previously compelled Cardiff to pay the transfer fee, which the club has done, while this separate French civil case now tests liability for damages.