AS Monaco Basket appeals to CNOSF over Nationale 1 exclusion
AS Monaco Basket has appealed to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) after being refused entry into Nationale 1, the third tier of French basketball.
The club’s lawyer, Xavier Le Cerf-Galle, confirmed on Monday, 14 September that the case had been referred to the CNOSF with additional documents, as Monaco continues its efforts to compete in a national championship this season.
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On Saturday, the French Basketball Federation (FFBB) rejected Monaco’s application for Nationale 1, saying it did not have “sufficient guarantees” to allow the reigning French champions to take part.
The decision followed an unfavourable assessment from the Federation’s financial watchdog, which said the club had failed to provide documentation demonstrating the accuracy and reliability of its financial position.
According to Le Cerf-Galle, the missing document was a certificate confirming the certification of the club’s accounts, which had not been available when the case was previously examined.
Months of financial difficulties
The latest appeal follows months of uncertainty for the Roca Team amid serious financial difficulties.
In July, the French National Basketball League’s financial watchdog refused to admit Monaco into either Élite 1 or Élite 2, a decision subsequently upheld on appeal.
After further attempts to have its case reconsidered, Monaco applied to compete in Nationale 1 instead.
The club is now hoping the CNOSF intervention could change the situation, with the Nationale 1 season due to begin this weekend, currently without AS Monaco.