The Daily Mail reported that Cardiff City insisted that Nantes must be responsible for the death of Emiliano Sara, after the previous lawsuit against the French club was postponed to December.

In 2019, Sarah died of a plane crash while completing her transfer from Nantes on her way to Cardiff City. Cardiff City had reached an agreement with Nantes on a transfer fee of £15 million, but the plane carrying Sara crashed in the waters near Alderney, the Channel Islands.

Cardiff City seeks about £104 million in compensation, based on data analysis, which claims that if Sarah helps, the team has a 54.2% chance of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. The lawsuit originally scheduled to open next week has now been postponed until December 8.

Cardiff City Club's statement read: "Cardiff City Football Club has been informed that the hearing against Nantes was extended, which was originally scheduled to be held on September 22. The application for extension was submitted by Nantes, and it claimed that it was not ready for defense, although the hearing date has been determined since April 2025."

"Cardiff City Club deeply regrets the position of Nantes, which is particularly surprising, given that Nantes Club has previously claimed that the case has been sentenced favorably, Also called Cardiff City Club's argument 'absurd and ridiculous '. "

" Six years after this tragedy that took Sarah's life, Nantes Club must bear responsibility, not only for the football world, but also for the loved ones of the deceased. Cardiff City Club reaffirms its trust in the French judicial system and will prepare to appear in court on December 8 to present the case." Cardiff City, coached by Neil Warnock, was relegated from the Premier League in 2019 with a penultimate place, only two points away from the relegation line. Although it is impossible to determine whether Sarah's goal can help the team relegate, his efficiency of averaging three goals per game in the Ligue 1 makes people look forward to his performance in the Premier League.

Cardiff City initially claimed to FIFA that Sarah had not registered as a player at the time of the crash, so there was no need to pay a transfer fee of £15 million. Based on this, they refused to pay the Nantes first £5 million.

However, FIFA ruled that the transfer was completed and imposed a transfer ban on Cardiff City's failure to pay the money, which was lifted in January 2023.

Cardiff City is currently playing in the League One after being relegated from the Championship last season.