Cardiff City are potentially facing a ban from the next three transfer windows as the saga surrounding Emiliano Sala rumbles on, according to The Telegraph.

The Bluebirds were legally required to handover the first instalment of the agreed £15million fee to Nantes around a month ago but, given the tragic circumstances surrounding the Argentinian's death, they are adamant that they should not be required to pay.

Sala died during the January transfer window of last season, after his private plane from France crashed into the Channel, and the saga surrounding transfer payments has been dragging on ever since.

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However, a fresh twist has now emerged, with documents from the official ruling showing that Cardiff face a three-window transfer ban if they fail to comply or get the initial ruling overturned.

It is the last thing that Cardiff fans will want to hear after what has been a disappointing start to life back in the Championship.

With 15 matches played the Bluebirds sit in 14th place but will be hoping that their 4-2 win against Birmingham City on Saturday will spark them into life.

The verdict

This such a sad, ugly situation for all involved.

Personally, I think Cardiff should just pay the money. It is a desperately unfortunate situation for them but I see no way that this decision gets turned in their favour.

Refusing to pay severely damages their public image as well and that is before you get to the potentially disastrous consequences that a transfer ban could have on them.