Cardiff still eager to negotiate with Nantes over Sala fee as FIFA extends deadline

FIFA has granted Cardiff City and Nantes extra time to submit full details of the transfer of Emiliano Sala as the clubs look to schedule face-to-face talks.

Nantes called on FIFA to intervene after Cardiff City failed to make the first payment of the £15 million transfer fee for Sala, who died in a plane crash on Jan. 21 while travelling from France to Wales.

FIFA originally gave both clubs until April 3 to submit their evidence but this deadline was extended after Cardiff wrote to Nantes last week with a view to sorting the matter out internally.

"Cardiff City recently wrote to FC Nantes proposing a meeting to discuss issues surrounding the Emiliano Sala tragedy and planned transfer, in line with FIFA's request for our two clubs to come to a resolution directly," a statement from Cardiff read. "To date, Cardiff City has not received a response from FC Nantes."

It is understood Nantes do not want to meet Cardiff, however, and have no interest in a mutual solution as they want the full transfer fee. Sources have told ESPN FC that Nantes are "extremely confident" FIFA will rule in their favour, while adding that someone representing Cardiff tried to intimidate them in a Paris meeting over the transfer fee and denying that the Premier League club wrote to them about a face-to-face meeting.

The first instalment of Sala's transfer fee was due on Feb. 20, but the deadline passed without Cardiff making the payment. Nantes referred the case to FIFA, calling on the governing body to intervene and sent in their side of the evidence last month.

Cardiff are understood to see the transfer as null and void as they believe certain criteria in the original contract were unfulfilled. Nantes, in turn, are adamant the transfer was complete and Sala was a Cardiff player when he died.

The two clubs now have until April 15 to submit any evidence to FIFA if they cannot resolve the matter internally.