AS Monaco’s hopes of finding a place in French professional basketball for the 2026–27 season have suffered another major blow.
The French Basketball Federation (FFBB) announced Saturday that it had rejected Monaco’s request to enter the third-tier Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1). The decision follows a turbulent offseason in which the club lost its Betclic Elite status because of serious financial problems.
The latest ruling leaves Monaco without a place in NM1 and could result in the club shutting down its professional operations. Another possibility would be continuing with an amateur team in the fifth-tier NM3.
“During its meeting on Saturday, September 12, 2026, the Federal Bureau made its final ruling on the application of the club AS Monaco Basket SA to compete in the Championnat Fédéral Nationale Masculine 1 (NM1). The Federal Bureau decided to uphold the unfavorable recommendation of the Management Control Commission and has therefore denied the club’s registration.
“The Federal Bureau took note of the unfavorable opinion from the Management Control Commission (CCG), which specifically observed that the club was unable to submit a file proving the accuracy and reliability of the company’s financial status.”
According to the federation, Monaco had not provided sufficient financial assurances for officials to make an exception and allow the club into NM1 despite the existing regulations.
“In light of this opinion, and taking into account the history of the case, the Bureau determined that it lacked sufficient guarantees to justify an exceptional exemption, the registration of the club in NM1, contrary to its own regulations. Granting a pass under the guise of the higher interest of basketball would undermine the integrity and fairness of the competitions organized by the Federation, which it is duty-bound to protect.
“Furthermore, the Federal Bureau confirmed that the NM1 championship will tip off, as scheduled, on September 18, 2026. The FFBB will announce the group alignments as soon as the registration decision regarding Fos Provence Basket is finalized.”
