CAS decides Milan’s European future: two scenarios
It’s time for CAS to decide whether AC Milan will play Europa League next season or if the Rossoneri will remain out for one year.
Today, AC Milan will discover if it will play Europa League football for next season, a right won on the pitch with the sixth place in Serie A or if, instead, CAS will confirm the verdict issued by the Adjudicatory Chamber of UEFA. A few minutes ago started the hearing session where the Rossoneri lawyers and those of UEFA will present their respective case before the arbitration board composed of three judges (one nominated by Milan, one from UEFA and one from the president of the competent committee). Depending on what the verdict will be, two distinct and separate things can happen.
READMISSION – If the CAS Tribunal should agree with AC Milan, by re-admitting the Rossoneri in Europa League (with Atalanta who should play three preliminary rounds and Fiorentina out), AC Milan would return to UEFA’s judging chambers to negotiate a new Settlement Agreement, with very different conditions – on ownership level – compared to the management of Yonghong Li. With Elliott, the new owner of AC Milan, several hesitations of UEFA would cease to exist, but there would be sanctions to apply because Milan should still serve a penalty for violating the break-even rule for the three-year period 2014-17.
RULING CONFIRMATION – If the judges – who enjoy total independence despite the nomination by three parties – should confirm the ruling of the Adjudicatory Chamber, then Milan would remain outside of Europa League 2018-19. The only consolation prize from this outcome would be that Milan would have the possibility to negotiate a totally fresh Voluntary Agreement with UEFA.