Monaco fail to overturn administrative ruling

Monaco have failed to overturn new legislation requiring them to have their main offices in France, rather than the principality.

Due to their headquarters currently being located in Monaco, the club receives advantageous tax benefits that, coupled with the fact their owner Dmitry Rybolovlev is a billionaire, enables them to out-spend their rivals.

On March 21, the French league (LFP) demanded that all clubs who play in the country must have their main offices in France, a decision that would effectively end Monaco’s tax benefits.

And the newly-promoted Ligue 1 side have now had their first attempt to get this rule overturned has failed.

A statement from Monaco read: “AS Monaco FC notes the decision of the court judge of the State Council to dismiss the club’s request to suspend with immediate effect the decision of the Professional Football League, which imposed on the club a requirement to locate its administrative headquarters in France.

“The court judge held that there was no urgency to suspend the decision since it is intended to apply only from June 1, 2014.

“The judge did therefore not take into account the serious concerns about the LFP’s decision, and in doing so did not take the view that the matter is of pressing urgency.

“He decided that the LFP’s decision did not affect AS Monaco’s participation in Ligue 1 for the 2013/2014 season, and said that the State Council would make a ruling on the legality of the decision in the coming months – therefore before it takes effect.

“This decision of the court judge does not therefore in any way prejudge the future decision on the substantive merits of the LFP’s decision.”

Alain Menemenis, the acting judge for the hearing, told L’Equipe: “The State Council will decide in the coming months on the request for annulment made by AS Monaco.”