Italian club, AC Milan banned from Europa League next season for breaching ‘Financial Fair Play’ rules

Italian football club, AC Milan have struck a deal with UEFA to serve a one-year ban from European football over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.  

The club, which finished fifth in Italy’s Serie A, will miss next season’s Europa League and UEFA will end its proceedings against the Italians for overspending, said the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “AC Milan is excluded from Uefa club competitions of the sporting season 2019-2020,” said Cas.  

Milan’s ban means AS Roma, who came sixth in the standings, move up to the Europa League group stage while their place in the qualifying rounds is taken by seventh-placed Torino. Seven-time European champions Milan finished one point behind local rivals Inter, who took the final Champions League qualifying place.

AC Milan confirmed their “voluntary acceptance” of the ban and said they hoped it would “act as a stimulus” to take them back to the top.

“Whilst saddened by the fact that our fans will not be able to see their team compete in European competition next season, the club recognises and respects FFP. The club acknowledges it has no other choice but to accept the sanctions, as it seeks to forge a pathway back to full compliance. AC Milan remains committed to restoring the club to its rightful place at the top of European football”  the club said in a statement.