Case against Willie McKay - SETTLED OUT OF COURT

[jon1959]

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...plane-disaster

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City and football agent Willie McKay reach settlement five years after plane disaster

Emiliano Sala died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel in 2019; he was due to complete a club-record move to Cardiff from Nantes in January that year; Cardiff were suing agent Willie McKay in order to gain information about his involvement in the transfer.

Cardiff City and football agent Willie McKay have reached an out-of-court settlement over his involvement in the 2019 Emiliano Sala transfer, on the eve of the first day of their hearing.

Sky Sports News previously reported McKay was being sued by Cardiff in order to obtain information about his involvement in the Sala deal.

Sala was due to complete a club-record fee to Cardiff from Nantes during the January transfer window but died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel.

Sky Sports News has previously reported McKay and his son arranged the private plane for Sala.

In June 2023, Cardiff launched legal proceedings against Nantes in France, where they are seeking damages for the transfer and as part of the proceedings in France, the club were attempting to sue McKay to understand his involvement in the transfer.

According to a source close to the case, Cardiff also argue they would have avoided relegation if Sala had played for the club and are seeking damages for losses in revenue from the relegation.

As part of the proceedings in France, Nantes claim McKay had no involvement in the transfer, which Cardiff dispute.

A hearing was due to take place on February 8, but Sky Sports News has been told this hearing was cancelled after the parties reached an out-of-court settlement.

The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Sky Sports News attended a preliminary hearing last week, where McKay failed to have the proceedings delayed.

A statement from Willie McKay said: "Out of respect for the family of Emiliano Sala, I felt it was necessary to confirm that Cardiff City FC have reached an agreement with me regarding their claim against Nantes FC.

"I have, throughout this process, provided evidence to assist the Dorset Coroner, Dorset Police, Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accidents Investigation Board and, always acted openly and honestly during all the investigations into the tragic death of Emiliano.

"My family and myself, have endured endless unfounded allegations and accusations, but we have always known that we were innocent of any wrongdoing. Throughout all the above investigations, we have been found to be innocent of any wrongdoing of any kind leading up to the awful events on the 21 January 2019."

Capital Law, lawyers for Cardiff City, told Sky Sports News: "The club is pleased with the outcome and remains committed to recovering the losses it has suffered as a result of FCN's negligence."

[Stanmore Bluebird]

Why isn’t the amount of the settlement in the public domain?
Should it be allowed to remain confidential?

[jon1959]

Why isn’t the amount of the settlement in the public domain?
Should it be allowed to remain confidential?

I don't think the settlement will be financial.

I may be wrong but I assume McKay has coughed up information and documents that will aid the club's civil case against Nantes - helping to prove their responsibility for the fatal flight.

The whole purpose of suing Mckay was to get information to show Nantes was responsible (via McKay) for the flight - not money.

[Wales-Bales]

I don't think the settlement will be financial.

I may be wrong but I assume McKay has coughed up information and documents that will aid the club's civil case against Nantes - helping to prove their responsibility for the fatal flight.

The whole purpose of suing Mckay was to get information to show Nantes was responsible (via McKay) for the flight - not money.

I was thinking the same thing. The big money is in the case with Nantes, and McKay is a small fry in the grand scheme of things.

[light up the darkness]

I don't think the settlement will be financial.

I may be wrong but I assume McKay has coughed up information and documents that will aid the club's civil case against Nantes - helping to prove their responsibility for the fatal flight.

The whole purpose of suing Mckay was to get information to show Nantes was responsible (via McKay) for the flight - not money.

Correct
The evidence will now be presented at court (in France/Switzerland) to decide if McKay was representing Nantes. If the court decide he was then the matter will have to go before another court to review the damages claimed by Cardiff.

Neither McKay or Nantes have the money required to cover the cost of the claims even if it’s significantly reduced so this will have to unfold.
If I remember correctly Tans interest is in the recovery of his costs and the clearing of the name and reputation of Cardiff City FC

[light up the darkness]

The laws governing agents in France are much stricter and closely controlled. If McKay is shown to be acting as agent against the French FA rules that’s a new ball game and Nantes could find themselves chucked out of the league

[cityhammer]

Correct
The evidence will now be presented at court (in France/Switzerland) to decide if McKay was representing Nantes. If the court decide he was then the matter will have to go before another court to review the damages claimed by Cardiff.

Neither McKay or Nantes have the money required to cover the cost of the claims even if it’s significantly reduced so this will have to unfold.
If I remember correctly Tans interest is in the recovery of his costs and the clearing of the name and reputation of Cardiff City FC

Nantes dont have to have the money, their insurance company do!

[bigjoe]

Why isn’t the amount of the settlement in the public domain?
Should it be allowed to remain confidential?

Quite often there seems to be some NDAs in these settlements so the general public shouldn't know the details.

As a more general question that I'd never thought of before. Transfers are sometimes marked as undisclosed fee. Wouldn't these eventually have to be shown on the books in the club's financial reports?

[superfeathers]

I was one who made light of city’s “ridiculous” position on this whole situation, where they seemed to be looking in every direction for a way out and someone to blame.

Credit to the club and ultimately tan though. Happy to be proved wrong

[TWGL1]

Quite often there seems to be some NDAs in these settlements so the general public shouldn't know the details.

As a more general question that I'd never thought of before. Transfers are sometimes marked as undisclosed fee. Wouldn't these eventually have to be shown on the books in the club's financial reports?

They are usually undisclosed because the actual transfer may be over a certain period (amortisation) or may have numerous add-ons which may never be paid. Ivan Toney is an example https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/25227...ears%20earlier.

[pomeroy]

If the Club’s case against Nantes FC is successful and it is proved that that club used a non certified agent or agents to act for them in the Sala transfer then there could be implications for the EFL and FIFA as both organisations ordered our Club to comply with impositions which could be construed, if Cardiff win their case, to be untimely and unfair and could have resulted in consequential losses for the Club. Likewise the Dail Mail article could be considered libellous. I am sure Capital Law will be burning the midnight oil in the coming weeks.

[cityhammer]

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...plane-disaster

Emiliano Sala: Cardiff City and football agent Willie McKay reach settlement five years after plane disaster

Emiliano Sala died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel in 2019; he was due to complete a club-record move to Cardiff from Nantes in January that year; Cardiff were suing agent Willie McKay in order to gain information about his involvement in the transfer.

Cardiff City and football agent Willie McKay have reached an out-of-court settlement over his involvement in the 2019 Emiliano Sala transfer, on the eve of the first day of their hearing.

Sky Sports News previously reported McKay was being sued by Cardiff in order to obtain information about his involvement in the Sala deal.

Sala was due to complete a club-record fee to Cardiff from Nantes during the January transfer window but died after his private plane crashed over the English Channel.

Sky Sports News has previously reported McKay and his son arranged the private plane for Sala.

In June 2023, Cardiff launched legal proceedings against Nantes in France, where they are seeking damages for the transfer and as part of the proceedings in France, the club were attempting to sue McKay to understand his involvement in the transfer.

According to a source close to the case, Cardiff also argue they would have avoided relegation if Sala had played for the club and are seeking damages for losses in revenue from the relegation.

As part of the proceedings in France, Nantes claim McKay had no involvement in the transfer, which Cardiff dispute.

A hearing was due to take place on February 8, but Sky Sports News has been told this hearing was cancelled after the parties reached an out-of-court settlement.

The terms of the settlement are confidential.

Sky Sports News attended a preliminary hearing last week, where McKay failed to have the proceedings delayed.

A statement from Willie McKay said: "Out of respect for the family of Emiliano Sala, I felt it was necessary to confirm that Cardiff City FC have reached an agreement with me regarding their claim against Nantes FC.

"I have, throughout this process, provided evidence to assist the Dorset Coroner, Dorset Police, Civil Aviation Authority and the Air Accidents Investigation Board and, always acted openly and honestly during all the investigations into the tragic death of Emiliano.

"My family and myself, have endured endless unfounded allegations and accusations, but we have always known that we were innocent of any wrongdoing. Throughout all the above investigations, we have been found to be innocent of any wrongdoing of any kind leading up to the awful events on the 21 January 2019."

Capital Law, lawyers for Cardiff City, told Sky Sports News: "The club is pleased with the outcome and remains committed to recovering the losses it has suffered as a result of FCN's negligence."

He hasnt actually been found innocent of anything tho. Just never been charged.

If City are happy with the outcome McKay has probably hung Nantes out to dry.

Will he very interesting when it gets to court in France. I suspect another out of court settlement.

Plenty of people, including our own fans were quick to criticise the club pursuing legal redress for the Sala incident, but the club clearly had a case all along.