After the club’s finances were examined, AC Milan decided to challenge their exclusion from the Europa League tournament for the upcoming season.
Following an investigation into the Italian club’s compliance with the Financial Fair Play (FFP) laws, specifically the break-even criteria, the governing body announced the suspension on Wednesday afternoon.
A statement from UEFA stated: “The club is excluded from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it would otherwise qualify.”
The suspension would prevent Milan, who placed sixth in Serie A the previous year, from participating in the Europa League the following season.
But the Italian club later on Wednesday night declared they would file an appeal with the CAS against the ban.
“AC Milan has instructed its legal team to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, seeking for a prompt review of the ruling,” stated AC Milan.
“AC Milan fully trusts the CAS will hear its arguments and will refrain from commenting further pending the arbitration.”
UEFA has taken action despite Milan’s claim that their finances are now stable following Li Yonghong’s purchase of the company last year.
Milan expressed their expectations for “fairness, rulings based on facts and equal rules for all” from UEFA in a video that they posted on Twitter prior to the decision.
The club “has the utmost respect for the rules, but we expect equality,” according to the statement, and they are “ready to pay for the mistakes made in the past.”
The penalty might raise questions about the futures of Leonardo Bonucci, the defender, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, the goalkeeper, who have been often linked to moves away from the San Siro.
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