Malaga given European ban for unpaid bills

Sport
Spain — Malaga have been banned from European competition for at least one season because of unpaid bills.

Spain — Malaga have been banned from European competition for at least one season because of unpaid bills. Report by BBC Sport

The suspension will not affect the Spanish club this campaign, as they aim for the Champions League last eight, but any time in the next four seasons should they again qualify for Europe.

The ban has been issued by football governing body Uefa, which is seeking to stop clubs spending beyond their means through Financial Fair Play. Malaga lie fourth in La Liga.

A Uefa statement said: “Uefa’s club financial control body has taken its first decision due to the presence of significant overdue payables.

“Malaga is excluded from participating in the next Uefa club competition for which it would otherwise qualify for in the next four seasons.”

The club responded by claiming they have been made a “scapegoat” by Uefa.

“Malaga wishes to express its total disagreement at the decision issued today by Uefa, and considers the intended actions against the club to be completely unjustified,” said a statement.

“The club believes they are being made a ‘scapegoat’ and an ‘example of’ by Uefa by this unfair treatment.”

Malaga were also fined 300,000 euros (£244,000) and face a further season’s ban unless they can prove by the end of March that they have settled outstanding payments to other teams, staff and tax authorities.