By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The players of AS Monaco are considering a strike, according to Serbian outlet Meridian Sport.
This option had previously surfaced, but partial payments of unpaid salaries prevented the players from skipping a domestic affair against BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque on January 13 in the Betclic Elire Regular Season Round 14. According to the latest update on Friday, a similar reaction is on the table heading to Round 19 of the French League, opposite Le Chalon in Le Colisee on Sunday.
With the club formally confirming a structured transition phase in late January, and the Principality of Monaco stepping in to manage the complicated situation until a possible arrival of a new investor to succeed president Alexey Fedorychev, the persisting issues have led to a delay of salaries for at least six weeks, as noted, adding to uneasiness across the locker room. Therefore, a decision to sit out the next domestic game, with Monaco potentially being forced to feature junior players, has been discussed among the members of the senior squad. There is a reported deadline for at least partial payments until tonight.
The financial difficulties and attached club instability have been apparent from the top of the 2025-26 season, with constant wage delays disrupting the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis. Furthermore, the situation prompted transfer bans at both continental and domestic levels, which ultimately prevented former NBA champion Cory Joseph from ever debuting with La Roca Team, despite signing a contract in early December. The 34-year-old point guard moved on, joining fellow EuroLeague outfit, Olympiacos.
On the wrong end of the four EuroLeague outings, Monaco has been reduced to a season tally of 15-12, sitting at the bottom end of the Play-In Showdown zone and two games away from elimination. At the domestic level, countering a league sanction, the adjusted 15-2 record ranks first, 1.5 games ahead of second-placed Nanterre 92.