Cardiff calls on French for full investigation into Sala flight

The Argentinian forward died on 21 January 2019 when the plane carrying him from Nantes in France to his new club, Cardiff, crashed in the English Channel, near Guernsey.

Cardiff has responded to an article published in French sports newspaper L’Equipe, which claimed Nantes owner Waldemar Kita and the player’s agent, Willie McKay, were central to any potential investigation.

A Cardiff spokesman said: ‘CCFC has been clear throughout the past 12 months that a full investigation of the facts leading up to the tragedy is required.

‘Not only to fully understand what led to the downing of the Piper PA-46 Malibu plane, but to answer the wider questions that have been highlighted in this case, specifically related to the use of illegal flights in the football industry and the role of intermediaries in player transfers.

‘As a result of our investigation we believe there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing that necessitates investigation by the French authorities of those responsible for the arrangement of the transfer on behalf of FC Nantes and for arranging the doomed flight.

‘We have therefore passed over information to the Parquet de Nantes to assist their efforts. We remain committed to establishing the full facts and adhering to any final decision on our financial liability in the transfer.’

Sala’s body was recovered from the wreckage, but that of pilot David Ibbotson, from North Lincolnshire, has not been found.

Sky Bet Championship club Cardiff, who were in the Premier League at the time, and Nantes have since been in dispute over fee payments.

Cardiff unveiled Sala two days before his death, but have argued they were not liable for the full £15m. transfer fee because the 28-year-old was not officially their player when he died – his paperwork had not been accepted by the league, according to reports.

The case was heard by Fifa’s players’ status committee, with the world governing body announcing at the end of September that Cardiff had been ordered to pay the first instalment of Sala’s transfer fee – €6m., just under £5.2m.

Cardiff appealed against that ruling and it will go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The final decision is not expected before June.

Sala’s father, Horacio, died three months after his son, suffering a heart attack at his home in Progreso, Argentina.

But he said before his death that all parties involved in the transfer, including clubs and agents, should have made more effort to look after the welfare of his son.

Sala was exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide prior to the crash, a report later revealed.

Cardiff management, players and supporters paid tribute to Sala last week on the first anniversary of his death.

There were also tributes at the Nantes ground before its league match.