The disappearance of Emiliano Sala benefits an agent!

Years after the tragedy linked to the death of Emiliano Sala, an unexpected financial aspect resurfaces. Mark McKay, former agent and son of Willie McKay, who was mandated by FC Nantes to manage the transfer of Sala, obtained a commission of 1.7 million euros for this operation, according to information reported by L'Equipe .

Sala signed with Cardiff City two days before losing his life in a plane crash in January 2019, without ever getting the opportunity to play for his new club. However, under the initial agreement between Nantes and McKay, the latter benefited from an exclusive mandate which ran until February 2, 2019, thus allowing him to claim his commission despite the tragedy.

This commission amounted to 10% of the total amount of the transfer, set at 17 million euros. Although FC Nantes is engaged in legal proceedings against Cardiff, following the refusal to pay the transfer fee, the club had no other choice but to pay the amount owed to the agent. FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had in fact confirmed the validity of the transfer before Sala's death.

A delayed but inevitable payment

FC Nantes, however, took time before responding to McKay's request, preferring to wait until they received the full funds from Cardiff before making the payment. In addition, the club managed to avoid paying the 85,000 euros in interest claimed by the agent for the delay.

Despite the initial statements of Willie McKay, who said he did not want to ask for money due to the human dimension of the tragedy, the commission was indeed paid. Asked about this, Mark McKay did not wish to comment, while Nantes' lawyers also remained silent.

For his part, Sala's agent, Meïssa N'Diaye, chose not to claim a commission, confirming that he had never sent an invoice after the death of his player.