The deadline for Cardiff City's first instalment of the £15m fee for Emiliano Sala to Nantes has been delayed until February 27.

As per BBC, the Bluebirds were due to make the first payment to the Ligue 1 side today, but it has been postponed for at least a week.

Sala, 28, was tragically killed in a plane crash along with pilot David Ibbotson and never made an appearance for Cardiff.

Nantes wrote to Cardiff back at the start of the month with a request for the first of the three instalments to be paid.

Cardiff have been withholding the payment as they seek clarification over the on the details of the accident.

Fellow French side Bordeaux are due 50% of the £15m fee due to a sell-on clause.

Cardiff have said they will be "honourable" with Nantes over the transfer fee if they are contractually obliged to pay.

If next week's deadline is not met by the Bluebirds, the issue could be referred to football's governing body Fifa.

Nantes have informed the BBC that "the process is progressing as normal" and they are yet to make any contact with Fifa.

If the disagreements between the two clubs continue, the case could be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.