Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City and Nantes at loggerheads over £15m transfer fee
Nantes and Cardiff City are at loggerheads over the £15m transfer fee for striker Emiliano Sala, who is missing presumed dead after his flight came down in the English Channel on 21 January.
Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson were onboard the private aircraft, the wreckage of which was discovered on Sunday evening on the seabed between Guernsey and the Devon coastline.
The Ligue 1 club have demanded payment from Cardiff, according to BBC Wales, but the Bluebirds are withholding fees until they are satisfied with the documentation concluding Sala’s disappearance.
The transfer fee is reportedly set to be paid over three instalments, and Cardiff are surprised that Nantes have requested the money while Sala has still not been officially found.
Authorities have sighted one body on board the wreckage but are still attempting to raise it from its location 67m deep in the Channel.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) are attempting to recover the body from the scene using a remotely operated vehicle.
An AAIB spokesman confirmed on Tuesday: ”We are attempting to recovery the body. If we are successful, we will consider the feasibility of recovering the aircraft wreckage.
“Strong tidal conditions mean we can only use the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) for limited periods each day and this will mean that progress is slow.
“Regardless of the results, we will not be making a further statement until the families have been informed.”
If and when the aircraft is lifted from the Channel, it is likely to be taken to an English port before being transferred to the AAIB’s laboratory in Farnborough, Hampshire.
The wreckage was discovered after a crowdfunding campaign raised funds for a boat equipped with the requisite sonar technology.
Both Cardiff City and Nantes have been contacted for comment.
