By Andrew Warshaw
January 2 – Crisis Spanish club Malaga have announced their intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in protest at UEFA’s move to ban them from future European competition for at least a season for allegedly flouting financial regulations.
As well as the suspension, Malaga have been fined €300,000 for unpaid bills but general director Vicente Casado has vowed to launch legal proceedings to clear the club’s name.
“We are shocked and do not understand the reason for this excessive attack on Malaga, but we will go to CAS, as we are convinced this process will confirm that we have done things in a proper way,” Casado told a news conference.
“We have until March 31 to appeal and we are preparing all the arguments that can revoke this decision made by Uefa.
“The owner [Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani] is outraged by this punishment but will continue to fight for the project to go forward.”
Uefa’s crackdown is the first heavyweight sanction against clubs who fail to meet financial obligations. Legal challenges were always likely and football’s European governing body will view Malaga’s CAS appeal as an important test case.
The ban does not apply for Malaga’s current debut campaign in the Champions League, where it has been drawn to face FC Porto in the last 16, but will instead take effect the next time the Qatari-owned club qualifies for European competition – provided it is within the next four seasons.
Malaga have stressed they were set to reach an agreement with the Spanish tax authorities on outstanding payments as funds previously blocked by UEFA had been released.
“We’re absolutely convinced that we’re right and have fulfilled our obligation,” said Casado.
An earlier club statement added to the club’s indignation by suggesting they were being used as a scapegoat.
“We consider that the club is being punished unfairly and used as an example to others,” it said. “Málaga CF wish to add that they do not understand, and consider totally incomprehensible and abusive, that after having received this judgment they must now wait an unknown period of time to know the evidence upon which it was taken.”
Contact
the writer of this story zib.l1734900597labto1734900597ofdlr1734900597owedi1734900597sni@w1734900597ahsra1734900597w.wer1734900597dna1734900597