By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
LNB president Philippe Ausseur recently addressed the most recent sanctions imposed on AS Monaco, confirming the possibility of the team’s removal from France’s Betclic Elite Playoffs 2026 if administrative obstacles are not cleared by the end of the 2025-26 Regular Season.
“The time for goodwill and patience is over. Monaco must react quickly, because otherwise, to be clear, the league’s hand, and my own, will not tremble,” Ausseur recently displayed a firm position, per L’Equipe.
The referred debt of La Roca Team specifically concerns the league’s luxury tax.
In a similar continental situation, the team coached by Vassilis Spanoulis is also dealing with a transfer ban imposed by Euroleague Basketball.
“Considering what Monaco represents overall, the team strength, and the talent on the floor in every game, and then looking at the administrative structure, there is a huge discrepancy,” said the LNB president.
“It is the most fines in league history. Sanctions are never pleasant for our league, regardless of independent bodies, legal commission, or the DNCCG [France’s national directorate of management control]. If there were even the slightest sign of change, that would be important. But clearly there is nothing yet,” he added. “This club, for various reasons, has not reached administration requirements. This is unacceptable, and the league will not back down.”
Despite league sanctions extending to the deduction of one win from the regular-season tally, Monaco sits first on the standings with an adjusted 9-2 record.
At 10-7 in the EuroLeague Regular Season places in a four-way tie at sixth place, the lowest spot leading directly to the Playoffs 2026.