NANTES — A French court in Nantes dismissed Cardiff City's claim for more than €120 million (£104 million) in compensation following the death of footballer Emiliano Sala. The court ordered Cardiff City to pay approximately £400,000 in legal fees and moral damages to FC Nantes.

The penalty is payable immediately, regardless of any possible appeal. The ruling concluded a legal dispute between the two clubs over the circumstances surrounding the death of the Argentine striker, who had been signed by Cardiff for a £15 million transfer fee two days before a fatal plane crash.

Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson died when the Piper Malibu plane carrying them crashed into the English Channel on the night of Jan. 21, 2019. Sala was on his way to join Cardiff from FC Nantes at the time of the flight. His mother was in court with Cardiff representatives to hear the verdict.

Celine Jones, a lawyer at Capital Law representing Cardiff, said: "We initiated these proceedings so that the full truth of this case would come to light in respect of Emiliano Sala's memory." Jones added: "Today we note with great bitterness that the principles of transparency, integrity and safety in professional football have not prevailed in this decision."

Jones also called for changes in the sport. "More than ever there is an urgent need to strengthen safety in and ethical standards in the management and the protection of players so a tragedy never ever happens again. The world of football needs to take a hard look at itself," she said.

Capital Law said it would take some time to reflect on the verdict. Cardiff has not yet made a decision on whether to appeal the court's dismissal of its claim. The club has one month to lodge an appeal, which would be heard before the Court of Appeal of Rennes. An appeal would trigger a new trial, giving the case a second chance to be heard and re-examined in its entirety. The appeal process could take up to two years.

Jérome Marsaudon and Louis Marie Absil, attorneys for FC Nantes, said: "FC Nantes is in no way responsible for the tragedy that occurred, and we are pleased that the court has heard our case and confirmed this in very clear terms."