NYON, Switzerland: Spanish side Malaga will appeal a one-year ban from European competition which was handed down by UEFA yesterday, angrily claiming they had been made “scapegoats” in a row over financial irregularities.
European football’s governing body said Qatar-owned Malaga would be barred from taking part in either the Europa League or Champions League when they next qualify and also faced the prospect of a second year-long exclusion if they failed to clear outstanding debts.
UEFA gave the Liga club a deadline of March 31 next year to prove it had “no overdue payables” to clubs, employees or the tax authorities.
If they were unable to do so, the ban would be extended, a statement on uefa.com said.
Malaga, who were also fined 300,000 euros ($396,000, 244,000 pounds), were on Thursday drawn to face Portuguese side Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League. But the club said they would appeal against the decision and claimed they were already proceeding with financial restructuring in line with UEFA’S fair play rules.
“Malaga football club wishes to express its total disagreement with the resolution made today by UEFA, considering the measures it intends to take absolutely disproportionate and unjustified,” said a club statement.
“An unfair punishment is being applied to make an example of the club, turning it into a scapegoat.”
The club “will work energetically and tirelessly until justice is done, appealing firmly to all the necessary bodies.” AFP
