Uefa has presented Málaga CF with a light at the end of the tunnel in awarding the club permission to participate in European competition next season.
The Blue and Whites had originally been excluded by the Uefa Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) from competing in any continental tournament it may qualify for over the next four seasons, a decision based upon Málaga’s debts and non-payment of its staff. Málaga CF, naturally, appealed the decision.
The Uefa license has been awarded to all Liga clubs with European aspirations except for Rayo Vallecano and Espanyol. Valladolid, Osasuna, Granada, Zaragoza, Deportivo and Celta have also been excluded from the list, although none of these have any chance of qualifying for European competition this season. Bottom-placed Mallorca, which was banned from continental action by the CFCB after qualifying for the Europa League in 2009, has been granted a Uefa license.
The Blue and Whites have all but lost any chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season but should make it into the Europa League, unless their run of poor results continues.
Málaga’s case before the CAS is due to be heard on June 4, when the club will aim to have its ban definitively overturned.