Cardiff City appeal £100m Sala compensation claim dismissal

Cardiff City have lodged an appeal against a French commercial court's decision to dismiss their claim for more than £100 million in compensation following the death of striker Emiliano Sala in 2019.

Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson died when the Piper Malibu plane carrying them crashed into the English Channel on 21 January 2019. The Argentine was en route to Cardiff after signing from FC Nantes for a club-record £15 million fee.

What happened

In March 2025, the Nantes commercial court dismissed Cardiff's claim for €120 million (£104 million) in lost income and other damages. The club argued that Sala could have helped them avoid relegation from the Premier League. The court also ordered Cardiff to pay approximately £400,000 in legal fees and moral damages to Nantes.

Cardiff had a three-month window to decide whether to appeal, with the deadline falling this week. The club has now confirmed that it has filed its intention to appeal, triggering a new trial that will be heard at the Court of Appeal in Rennes.

Why it matters

• Cardiff are seeking damages based on the premise that Sala's presence would have kept the club in the Premier League, potentially generating significant revenue.
• The case has highlighted ongoing legal complexities in football transfers, particularly regarding liability for player welfare during travel.
• Nantes had previously been ordered by FIFA to pay Cardiff €6 million as part of the transfer fee, a decision challenged by the French club.
• The dispute has lasted over six years, with no resolution in sight.

What's next

The appeal process could take up to two years. A new trial will re-examine the case in its entirety, including the key question of whether Nantes bears any liability for Sala's death. Until then, Cardiff must pay the £400,000 penalty ordered by the lower court.