Source: REUTERS/Manon Cruz
[Saba Sports News] Argentine forward Emiliano Sala tragically died in a plane crash on January 21, 2019. His transfer also sparked a dispute over commission fees. Sala’s agent Mark McKay demanded and received a commission of €1.785 million, which amounts to 10% of the €17 million transfer fee. It is reported that Mark McKay held an “exclusive mandate” from Nantes Football Club to handle Sala’s transfer to the UK. Despite Sala signing with Cardiff City just two days before his disappearance and never playing for the team, McKay insisted on receiving the commission. Legally, Nantes could not refuse to pay this commission but refused to pay an additional €85,000 in late penalties. The club confirmed that it had received the full transfer fee from Cardiff by early summer 2023 before paying McKay his commission. It’s worth noting that Mark McKay’s father, Willie McKay, stated in February 2019 that he would not hold Nantes responsible for any commission-related issues; however, this promise was evidently not upheld. Sala’s personal agent Mesa Ndiaye confirmed he never sought payment for his originally entitled commission.