Emiliano Sala: Nantes fined after fans pay tribute to late striker with flares

Ligue 1 have stepped in after supporters set off flares during matches as part of a tribute to their former striker

Nantes have been fined over €20,000 after supporters set off flares during matches as part of a tribute to former striker Emiliano Sala.

A single-engine plane carrying Sala from Nantes to his new team Cardiff City crashed on January 21 in the English Channel, before he could make his debut for the Premier League side.

Wreckage was found on February 3 following a privately-funded underwater search and Sala's body was recovered three days later while the plane's pilot David Ibbotson is still missing.

Ligue 1's disciplinary commission fined Nantes €16,500 after supporters set off flares and threw objects in a league match against St Etienne on January 30, the club's first game after the Argentine went missing.

They were also fined €4,500 for a similar tribute by fans in their league game against Nimes earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Cardiff and Nantes have agreed to push back the scheduled date of payment for the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee for Sala.

Cardiff were originally asked to pay the £5.27m instalment on February 20 but a week’s delay has been agreed between the two clubs, as the Welsh side await answers from the investigation into the accident.

Nantes’ lawyers wrote to Cardiff on February 5 formally asking for the first payment be sent within 10 working days.

Nantes supporters paid tribute to Sala (AFP/Getty Images) (AFP)

However, Cardiff are concerned that a £16m insurance policy for Sala could be annuled if the investigation finds any wrongdoing involved in the accident.

Further complications involve French club Bordeaux, who are due 50% of the transfer fee due to a sell-on-clause.

If the two clubs cannot come to an agreement, the case will either be referred to Fifa or go straight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.