Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Emiliano Sala: Family launch legal action against Cardiff over air crash death

It is now more than two years since the Argentine death following a plane crash in the sea north of Guernsey

Jack Rathborn
Wednesday 10 March 2021 08:35 EST
Comments
Emiliano Sala’s family are launching legal action against Cardiff City
Emiliano Sala’s family are launching legal action against Cardiff City (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The family of Emiliano Sala has launched legal proceedings against the Argentine striker’s former club Cardiff City more than two years on from his death in a plane crash.

The former Nantes star was travelling to Cardiff after completing a £15 million move from the Ligue 1 side when his plane crashed into the sea north of Guernsey on 21 January 2019.

And now, ahead of a pre-inquest hearing into Sala’s death in Bournemouth, the family’s legal team has announced its intent to pursue legal action in order to "protect [the family's] legal rights" pending an inquest's outcome.

There are 13 defendants listed in their case, with the civil proceedings including both football clubs, agent Mark McKay and his father Willie McKay, in addition to the company that owned the plane, its manufacturers and those responsible for its maintenance.

READ MORE: ‘It is a tragedy we don’t know the truth’: Emiliano Sala’s family demand answers two years on from player’s death

Firstly, the inquest must be completed, in addition to the trial of David Henderson on 18 October.

Mr Henderson has been accused of arranging the flight from Nantes and will face charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft and attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation.

Lawyer Daniel Machover confirmed that Sala's family wanted the coroner to fix the inquest date following Mr Henderson’s trial.

He said: “In the meantime, in order to protect their legal rights and remedies arising from Emiliano’s untimely death, the family have commenced civil proceedings in the High Court, but will seek agreement to stay those proceedings pending the outcome of the inquest.

“That makes it all the more important for the inquest date to be fixed, so everyone can plan accordingly.

“Most importantly, the family know that the inquest will provide the answers to the very many questions they have about what went wrong in January 2019 and why Emiliano’s life was cut short.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in