Emiliano Sala missing: Nantes demand payment of transfer fee from Cardiff City

Emiliano Sala missing: Nantes have demanded a the transfer fee for Emiliano Sala from Cardiff City.

Emiliano Sala has been missing since over two weeks after his plane lost signal over the Channel Islands.

Earlier this week, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed that they found the wreckage of the aircraft carrying Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson. They later revealed that a body was also found on the wreckage.

The footballer joined Cardiff City in the January transfer window and was travelling from Nantes to Wales when his aircraft lost signal. The English club has “withheld the first scheduled payment until they’re satisfied with the documentation.” according to BBC.

However, they also report that Nantes are now demanding the payment. Moreover, the French side is threatening legal action over Cardiff City if they don’t receive payment within 10 days.

BBC contacted Cardiff City following Nantes’ demands. One of the sources they quote have stated that the club will honour the contract after clarifying “all the facts.” Cardiff City are due to pay the complete transfer fee (15 million pounds) over a three-year instalment.

According to BBC, the club is “surprised” that Nantes have made the demand at a time when attempts are in process to recover a body which was found alongside the wreckage of the aircraft.

The plane lost signal on January 21 at around 8:30 PM over the Channel Islands. A rescue/recovery operation began immediately by the Guernsey Police following the incident.

It was called off three days later as the rescuers stated that the possibility of survival were “remote.”

Tributes have been pouring in from the footballing fraternity following the incident.

Nantes, who played their first game after the disappearance of the footballer last week, held a minute-long appluase in the 9th minute of the game as referee blew the whistle to stop the match.

Cardiff City’s fans sang Emiliano Sala’s name after their stunning 2-0 victory over Bournemouth on the weekend.

The Premier League sides observed a minute-long silence as a tribute to the footballer during their mid-week fixtures last week.