Cardiff City face a potential transfer ban if they continue to withhold the first installment of Emiliano Sala’s £15 million fee. The Argentine’s body has now been formally identified after it was recovered from the underwater wreckage in the English Channel. Cardiff are due to pay Sala’s £15m fee in three installments and Nantes have already threatened legal action as the Premier League club have not yet made the first £5m payment. According to The Times, Sala’s International Transfer Certificate was registered with the Welsh Football Association on January 21, which means Cardiff risk punishment from FIFA if they do not make the first payment by the end of next week. Cardiff are unhappy with the timing of Nantes’ request as the French club sent an email on January 31 demanding the first payment.
At that stage, the first search for the Piper Malibu aircraft carrying Sala and pilot David Ibbotson had been called off. Nantes then followed up their first request with a legal letter on Tuesday, asking to receive the £5m within the next 10 days.
FIFA’s regulations state that disciplinary proceedings against Cardiff can be opened if they do not complete the payment within Nantes’ 10-day deadline. Cardiff, however, are refusing to complete the first payment until the official investigation into Sala’s disappearance is completed. It’s understood Cardiff have a player insurance policy of £16m per individual and that Sala, who was signed on January 19, was registered.
