Cardiff City have not paid the first instalment of Emiliano Sala’s transfer fee

Nantes have made a claim to FIFA against Cardiff City over the £15 million transfer fee for Emiliano Sala

Cardiff City have not yet paid the first instalment of their transfer fee for Emiliano Sala

The Bluebirds have released a statement after Nantes made a claim to FIFA.

It reads: “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’s inappropriate to comment further at this stage.”

Cardiff City have been asked to make the first payment of €6m (£5.27m) to Nantes on 20^th February.

Both clubs have agreed on an extension for the first installation of the transfer fee.

It came one day after Sala died in a plane crash on his way to Cardiff. Officials from both Cardiff and Nantes attended his funeral, which took place in his native Argentina.

A FIFA spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have received yesterday evening a claim from FC Nantes against Cardiff City in connection with the transfer of Emiliano Sala.

“We are looking into the matter and consequently we have no further comments at this stage.”