The deadline for Cardiff City to pay the first instalment of the £15m transfer fee for Emiliano Sala has been extended until Wednesday, 27 February.
The Bluebirds were due to make the first payment to Nantes on 20 February, but BBC Wales Sport understands the clubs have agreed a delay of one week.
Sala, 28, was Cardiff's record signing but never played for the club.
He died when a plane - piloted by David Ibbotson, who remains missing - crashed into the English Channel on 21 January.
Sala's body was recovered from the crash site and his funeral took place in Argentina on 16 February.
Nantes wrote to Cardiff on 5 February with a request for the first of three instalments to be paid.
Cardiff said they were withholding payment while seeking "clarification" on details of the accident and want to wait until crash investigations are complete.
They are also querying "anomalies" in contract details, but say they will be "honourable" with Nantes over the transfer fee if they are contractually obliged to pay.
French side Bordeaux are due 50% of the fee because of a sell-on clause when they sold Sala to Nantes in 2015.
If next week's deadline is not met, then the dispute could be referred to world football's governing body Fifa.
It could be considered by its dispute resolution chamber (DRC), the body which arbitrates when players or clubs have a disagreement.
Its chairman is former Football Association chairman and Fifa vice-president Geoff Thompson.
Nantes told BBC Wales Sport "the process is progressing as normal" and they have not contacted Fifa.
Should the clubs struggle to find a resolution the case could ultimately go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Lausanne.
javel09
0
You don't pay for something you don't get
true
Emperor-GH
1
These are all lessons to all sporting clubs when drafting pre-contracts and constitutions need to be revised to care for this.
Chiratopher
4
You don't pay for something you don't get
wikipedia
1
Typically football. Guy dies and both sides want their funds/goods 🤦🏻♂️
loveme
2
If the rumours are true that the pilot was under qualified to take the flight then the insurance company may use that to avoid paying out - this could get very messy for all involved at a time when the families of both Sale and the pilot should be left to grieve
Balansag
0
Terrible decision by the club to ask for the money I hope every team doesn't do any business with them again wankers
Jeremiaher
0
I heard the Welsh sporting insurance company was going to over the 15 million fee but Cardiff City have to pay Sala' s wages, which is 30 million within 3 years. I would assume Sala's wage salary goes to his family.
idiot12
1
Surely under the circumstances FIFA should step in and compensate all parties involved within the transfer. Let’s be honest FIFA are a very wealthy company (because football is just one big business) and this is the time they should ‘give back’ under these terrible circumstances.
UARTdong
0
Just, very, very sad that death decided to snatch him away when he was getting to the peak of his career, Just rest on,If tears could have waken you, maybe now you would have gone back to the pitch doing what you knows how best to do.May the good Lord grant your gently soul enternal rest until we meet again when death will no longer have any power over us.
realmans
0
He did sign for Cardiff and signed a contract so they must pay unfortunately
snobbish
0
We all know it needs to be paid but have some respect until his body is brought home and buried it’s not like they will be short of cash is it
ppx668
0
Dead or alive, it is about money
reasonlife
1
Nantes have lost a star player and are out of pocket by £15m, why wouldn't they chase it?
yumaster
0
Show some respect his body hasn't even been recovered yet.
wrapped
2
The money for his transfer should be given to his family and the pilots family.
Martabeed
1
Would it be nice for the money to be given to the families? Yes. Is going to happen? Probably not. As a Cardiff fan we owe Nantes the money, sadly if we hadn’t bought him none of this would’ve happened. I’m hoping some sort of annual game between Cardiff and Nantes can be played and all proceeds will go the families affected.
xvidoeos
0
Cardiff will be waiting on the insurance pay-out. Then Nantes will get their money.
Balancea
0
Cardiff should have paid by PayPal and said the item didn’t show up to get the money back
zisekms
0
His no more. I think the people who need the money, is his family and not Nante. He was their source to a good life. May his soul R.I.P[Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry][Cry]
cacilosyz
4
R.I.P sala 😪 never forget u 😴