LAUSANNE, Dec 5 — Cardiff City have appealed against the decision ordering them to pay €6 million (RM27.7 million) to Nantes for the transfer of Emiliano Sala, who died in a plane crash on his way to join the Welsh club, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Thursday.

After signing for Cardiff for £15 million (RM82.2 million) in January, Sala was travelling there from the French club when his plane crashed in the English Channel.

The body of the 28-year-old Argentine striker was recovered nearly three weeks later after an underwater search found the wreckage.

In October, Fifa ordered Cardiff to play a €6 million  sum, relating to the first instalment of his transfer fee, to the French club.

"Cardiff City FC seeks to have the (decision) set aside and requests the CAS to declare that no amount shall be payable by Cardiff City FC to FC Nantes,” said CAS in a statement.

CAS that a hearing was expected to take place in the spring of 2020 and a decision was not expected before June. Cardiff, playing in the English Premier League at the time, were relegated at the end of the season. — Reuters