Seven years since Emiliano Sala’s death, what has changed for the ‘wild west’ of football transfers?

Seven Years Since Emiliano Sala’s Death, What Has Changed for the ‘Wild West’ of Football Transfers?

The legal dispute surrounding the tragic death of footballer Emiliano Sala is set to reach its conclusion in a French court. A judge will soon determine if Cardiff City is entitled to compensation from FC Nantes for the loss of the Argentine striker. Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson perished when their Piper Malibu plane crashed into the English Channel on 21 January 2019. Seven years later, the case will conclude in the commercial court of Nantes on Monday, following a December 2025 hearing where Cardiff argued that Willie McKay, who arranged the flight, acted on behalf of the French club—a claim Nantes denied.

The Transfer Fee and Relegation

Sala was en route to join Cardiff City, then in the Premier League, from Nantes for a £15m fee. He had signed with the club just two days before the accident. Cardiff is seeking over €120m in compensation, citing the belief that Sala’s presence could have saved the team from relegation. The club was dropped from the Championship in the 2018-2019 season and later fell to League One in April 2025.

Questions Over Charter Flights and Player Welfare

The incident brought attention to the lack of transparency in football transfers and player care. It underscored the risks of so-called ‘grey’ and illegal charter flights, which often lack clear oversight. Friends of Sala described his apprehension about the swift move to Cardiff, while posthumous voice messages revealed his confusion and anxiety. Lorna McLelland, a former player liaison officer at Aston Villa, noted that despite calls for reform, progress has been limited. “There are no set guidelines for player welfare roles, and responsibilities often overlap with agents,” she said, adding that “mandatory frameworks and clear procedures should be established in every club.”

“In terms of player movement, money is always central… it’s still a bit of a wild west,” McLelland remarked. “Football is a complex world, but more changes are needed to protect players.”

Jonathan Booker, a former agent now in sports mediation, acknowledged a “burst of activity” in player welfare following the tragedy. However, he stressed that these efforts have not been sustained. “Set standards or accreditation for player care roles across all clubs would help,” he said, pointing out that “inexperienced staff are often pushed by players or agents in critical decisions.”

“There’s too much risk of staff being railroaded by young players wanting high-performance cars they can’t safely drive,” Booker added.

The Professional Footballers Association highlighted the stress of transfer windows for players and families, stating that awareness of wellbeing is “growing” in the sport. “Players should always feel their career is in their control,” it emphasized. The Football Association (FA) confirmed that professional leagues and clubs are mainly responsible for player welfare. A spokesperson noted that CAA travel guidelines were distributed to clubs after the incident and reissued during transfer periods. Willie McKay, who booked Sala’s flight, was not a registered agent at the time, though his son Mark, who worked with Nantes, was involved in the process.