Nantes take Sala’s payment dispute with Cardiff to FIFA

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FIFA are investigating Emiliano Sala's transfer dispute between Nantes and Cardiff City following a claim from the French club.

The clubs had become involved in a dispute over when the first installment of the fee should be paid following the tragic death of Argentinian Sala in an airplane accident last month.

Nantes referred the matter to the sport's global body after the Welsh side declined to pay an initial six million euros (6.8 million U.S. dollars) of the 17 million euros (19.4 million U.S. dollars) total fee.

"Nantes have naturally turned to FIFA. We have bodies which can deal with these sorts of things. There's also a human aspect to the situation which makes us more than just sad. It's a tragedy," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said.

Cardiff were due to pay the initial six million euros once the transfer had been registered but the club said they wanted to wait for the results of the investigation into the accident before transferring any funds.

"Cardiff City remains committed to ensuring fairness and accountability with respect to the agreement between Cardiff City and FC Nantes, but first and foremost the relevant authorities must be allowed to determine the facts surrounding this tragedy. It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage," Cardiff said in a statement.

A picture shows the FIFA logo during a FIFA press conference in Istanbul, February 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

According to the French club, the 28-year-old's move from France had been completed and an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) issued.

As the ITC had been registered and Sala had been confirmed as a Cardiff player, according to Nantes, the Welsh club were obligated to pay for the transfer.

However, Cardiff are concerned about possible irregularities involving the flight from Nantes to Cardiff which resulted in Sala's death.

Britain's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said on Monday the plane carrying Sala did not have a commercial license, and the basis on which Sala was a passenger had not been established.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)