FIFA set deadline for Cardiff, Nantes over Sala dispute

Lausanne - FIFA have given French club Nantes and Cardiff City 10 days to reach a settlement in the dispute over payment of the transfer fee following the death of Emiliano Sala.

According to a letter sent to both clubs, if they miss the deadline FIFA will issue its own ruling, which is subject to appeal.

"We can confirm that a letter was sent to the parties on behalf of the chairman of the players’ status committee. Please understand we cannot comment further at this stage," FIFA said in a statement to AFP.

Nantes appealed to the commission in February after Cardiff failed to pay 17 million euros the French club said it was owed following the transfer of Argentine striker Sala, who died on January 21 in a plane crash while travelling to join his new club.

Cardiff had earlier resolved not to pay a first instalment of €6 million of the €17 million fee agreed before the accident.