Monaco to appeal points deduction

Monaco are to appeal the two-point deduction handed to them by the French football authorities ahead of the 2013-14 Ligue 1 season.

The newly promoted Monagesque club were docked three points – with one suspended – and must play a game behind closed doors next season as a punishment for fan unrest.

The sanctions were meted out after supporters lit flares and invaded the pitch during Monaco’s final home game of their 2012-13 Ligue 2 campaign, a 2-1 win over Le Mans.

However, the club have now described the move as “severe” and “disproportionate to the usual case of disciplinary proceedings”, and have revealed they will appeal it.

Monaco’s ascent into the top flight of French football has come around largely thanks to heavy investment from Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev.

The Stade Louis II outfit have continued their spending push ahead of their return to Ligue 1, bringing in the likes of Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.

And they will hope to challenge the supremacy of big-spending reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain as a result.