Cardiff and Nantes continue the battle for Sala

Cardiff City wants to start direct talks with Nantes, in an attempt to resolve the 17m-euro loan dispute for the transfer of Emiliano Salas, who died in an air accident in January.

World football governing body, FIFA, has given the clubs deadlines until April 15th to solve this problem, as Cardiffi had not made the first payment for the Argentinean transfer.

FIFA had initially asked for more evidence before making the final decision on the issue. However, Cardiff claims Nantes has not responded to their call to arrange a meeting.

“Cardiff City has requested and won the length of the deadline to respond FIFA to the issue. Finally, Cardiff City has written to Nantes, proposing a meeting to discuss problems related to the tragedy of the planned transfer of”, said the statement issued by the English club.

This proposal is in the same line as FIFA's request that both clubs find a solution as soon as possible. So far, Cardiff City has not received an answer from Nantesi”.

Cardiff claims the deal reached with Nantes for Sala's transfer was not legally binding. They say the terms of the contract, which were set by the French club, were not complete.

On the other hand, Nantes claims he completed all necessary documents and that everything has been in accordance with FIFA rules.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has indicated he is hoping that the two clubs in question will reach any agreement without having to intervene a third party.

Sala, 28, was formalised as a new player of Cardiff City on January 19th. Just two days later, he died in an air accident after the plane he was traveling from Nantes to Cardiff crashed over the English Channel.

The plane was directed by pilot David Ibbotson, who is still missing. The BBC reported that Ibboston had not been licensed to fly that plane. He is believed to have deglitonists, and his license was restricted only during the day, not at night, when it was a journey in question.