A football club's claim for compensation following the death of player Emiliano Sala in a plane crash has been rejected by a French court.
The tribunal ordered Cardiff City to pay €480,000 to Nantes.
The Welsh club had previously sought damages of more than £100 million (€115m) from the French side in a negligence claim, covering the Argentinian striker’s £15m (€17m) transfer fee and losses of potential earnings.
But the Tribunal de Commerce de Nantes ruled that Nantes was not liable for negligence over Mr Sala’s death.
Cardiff was ordered to pay the French club €300,000 in damages, and an additional €180,000, a lawyer for the Welsh side said.
Mr Sala died on 21 January 2019 alongside pilot David Ibbotson, 59, when the light aircraft they were travelling in from France crashed into the English Channel.
It happened two days after Cardiff had announced the signing of the 28-year-old player from Nantes.
The Welsh club had claimed the French side was responsible because the flight had been organised by football agent William "Willie" McKay, who was enlisted by Nantes.
A statement issued by Cardiff City after the ruling said: "We deeply regret that the court did not recognise FC Nantes’ liability in this tragedy.
"We initiated these proceedings so that the full truth of this case could come to light, in respect of Emiliano Sala’s memory.
"More than ever, there is an urgent need to strengthen safety and ethical standards in the management and protection of players, so that such a tragedy can never happen again.
"The world of football must take a hard look at itself".
Speaking to reporters following the court's decision, Jerome Marsaudon, representing Nantes, said: "We are very pleased with the tribunal’s decision, which attests to what we’ve been maintaining for years.
"The tribunal said it loud and clear and ordered Cardiff to pay exemplary damages.
"FC Nantes are in no way responsible for the tragedy that occurred and we are pleased that the tribunal has heard us and confirmed this in clear terms which, we hope, will put an end to this matter so that everyone can move on."
In 2021, businessman David Henderson was jailed for 18 months after he was convicted of endangering the safety of the aircraft, after a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
He pleaded guilty to trying to arrange a flight for a passenger without permission or authorisation.
