header-logo header-logo

04 July 2019 / Michael L Nash
Issue: 7847 / Categories: Features , Commercial
printer mail-detail

A footballer’s death: contracts & consequences

The death of Emiliano Sala mid-transfer left a tangled web of contractual issues, writes Michael L Nash

  • Reviews the death of Argentinian footballer, signed by Cardiff FC, formerly of FC Nantes, from a legal standpoint.
  • Covers issues of frustration of contract, negligence, role of a football agent, duty of care and role of FIFA.

Every so often the world is riveted, temporarily fixated, on one story. The case of Emiliano Sala, the 28-year-old Argentinian footballer, so recently signed by Cardiff, was one of these stories. From the moment the news broke that he was missing to the moment his body was found, the world paused in its mad helter skelter.

When the last days of Emiliano Sala are analysed, they reveal many different levels of law, regulation and roles. If the contract between Cardiff FC and FC Nantes (the club where he had been playing) is examined, then the issue of frustration emerges, and the terms and conditions of that contract, which may or may not have been fulfilled before Sala’s untimely death. Then there is the possible

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll