AC Milan banned from European competition for Financial Fair Play breach

AC Milan have been suspended from European competition for two years following a breach of UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Rossoneri had been due to enter the Europa League next season after finishing sixth in Serie A, but their place will now be taken by Atalanta, while Sampdoria have taken the final place.

UEFA announced the news in a statement released on the association's website today in lieu of a more detailed ruling.

The statement read: “The Adjudicatory Chamber of the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), chaired by José Narciso da Cunha Rodrigues, has taken a decision in the case of the club AC Milan that had been referred to it by the CFCB Chief Investigator for the breach of the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations, in particular the break-even requirement.

“The club is excluded from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify in the next two (2) seasons (i.e. one competition in 2018/19 or 2019/20, subject to qualification).

“This decision may be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with Article 34(2) of the Procedural rules governing the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, as well as Articles 62 and 63 of the UEFA Statutes.

“The full reasoned decision will be published on UEFA.com in due course.”