AS Monaco Basket will ask to rejoin the French Nationale 1 league after being excluded from professional competition, according to franceinfo.
The club’s move follows its removal from the professional ranks, a decision that was upheld by the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF). Reports from BeBasket indicate the CNOSF rejected Monaco’s appeal, prompting the club to pursue a fresh start at the amateur level.
Nationale 1 is the third tier of French men’s basketball, below the top-flight Betclic Elite and the second-division Pro B. The request marks a significant step down for a club that had been competing in European competition, including the Eurocup, from which it was also excluded, as reported by Orange Sports.
The decision to seek entry into Nationale 1 was confirmed by multiple outlets, including 20 Minutes and Eurosport, which described the move as a new twist in the club’s ongoing saga. Monaco’s application will now be reviewed by the relevant basketball authorities, who will determine whether the club can begin its comeback at that level.
The exclusion from professional play stems from administrative or financial issues, though the specific reasons were not detailed in the available reporting. The club has not yet commented publicly on its plans beyond the reported request.
What to watch next: whether the French Basketball Federation approves Monaco’s Nationale 1 application and how quickly the club can rebuild its competitive standing.
