Basketball: AS Monaco Faces Setback and Threat of Leaving Professional League

10:59

Another setback for AS Monaco. The French champion has not obtained a review of its case by the French Basketball Federation, following the rejection of its entry into professional leagues. The Monegasque club now finds itself in a particularly delicate situation, although several appeals remain possible.

The future of AS Monaco in professional basketball is becoming increasingly bleak. The club from the Principality has once again been denied in its attempt to have its application for participation in the first and second divisions of France reconsidered.

This decision comes after several weeks of standoff with the authorities of French basketball. The financial watchdog of the National League initially refused, in early July, Monaco's entry into the leagues for financial reasons. The appeals chamber of the French Basketball Federation subsequently confirmed this decision.

The New Investor Was Not Enough

After this failure, AS Monaco attempted a new approach. The club requested the federal office, on Friday, to review its case following the entry of a new investor into its capital.

However, this financial development did not convince the Federation, which maintained its position.

For ASM, this blow is particularly harsh. The Monegasque club has established itself in recent years as one of the strongholds of French and European basketball. It notably reached the EuroLeague final in 2025, confirming its shift in status on the continental stage.

Monaco Has Not Said Its Last Word

Despite this new setback, the door for appeals is not entirely closed. The club still has the option to approach the administrative court.

However, AS Monaco is not currently considering this route, according to information confirmed to AFP.

This decision leaves a strong uncertainty regarding the future of the case. If the situation does not evolve, the French champion could be forced to leave the professional realm, a particularly dramatic outcome considering its recent status in European basketball.

A Suspended Sporting Future

Beyond the administrative and financial aspects, the consequences could be significant for the Monegasque sports project. An exclusion from the professional world would call into question the club's organization, its roster, and its participation in high-level competitions.

For now, Monaco is waiting for a resolution to this conflict with the French authorities. The club still has options to defend its case, but time is now working against it.