AS Monaco is making a final attempt to preserve its professional status after being denied entry into France’s third-tier NM1 competition.
The club has filed an emergency appeal with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF), hoping to overturn the French Basketball Federation’s decision. Without a successful appeal, Monaco could be left competing at the fifth-tier amateur level.
The decision came despite Swiss businessman Thomas Kurk committing €10 million per season to the project. His plan included a €7.5 million operating budget to cover salaries and remaining EuroLeague debts.
However, the FFBB cited Monaco’s previous financial problems and insufficient documentation regarding the reliability of its new financial structure.
Monaco attorney Xavier Le Cerf-Galle criticized the ruling and argued that the club’s restructuring and new investment should have changed the situation.
“A brand-new investor puts €10 million on the table and is met with a resounding rejection from the Federal Bureau because he is being made to pay for past administrative failings,” he mentioned.
“That forces us back before the CNOSF, even though the club has been restructured, the accounts are now in excellent shape, everything is in place to protect jobs, and we had built a strong team that would have drawn crowds at N1 venues every weekend.”
Monaco will use newly certified financial accounts in its appeal, while the NM1 season is scheduled to begin next weekend without the club.
The situation continues a dramatic decline for the reigning French champions, who have already lost their place in France’s top professional divisions and Euroleague Basketball competitions.
