AS Monaco FC are banned from playing in the top division of French football next season however that hasn’t stopped them from spending 100’s of millions already in this summers unopened transfer window.
They were promoted from the French equivalent of the Championship (Ligue 2) in the 2012-13 season and therefore should have the right to play against the likes of PSG, Lyon and Montpellier next season. If only things were that simple! The seven time Ligue 1 champions who are managed by the former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri are forbidden from locking horns with the French heavyweights next seson because of one reason: Geography. Monaco play their football outside of the French borders and this disqualifies them from taking part in Ligue 1 next season.
Every club who wishes to take part in Ligue 1 must be based in France for tax reasons. The owner of Monaco FC is a Russian Billionaire. We all know Russian billionaires are good at running football clubs! Mr. Rybolovlev wishes for Monaco to be in the top division but is not willing for them to move inside France. A comprise perhaps! Global fame and possible European success for a place in Ligue 1!
Dmitry Rybolovlev is the leading shareholder at Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club. Rybolovlev took over Monaco in late 2011 with the goal of leading them to success on the continent. Monaco almost achieved this in 2004 when only a Mourinho miracle could stop Monaco from lifting the Champions League. Can they do it a decade on? They are spending so much money that they will have to be contenders for a Champions League place next term if they are allowed entry in to the league.
In just a few days Ryblovlev, signed midfielders Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez from Porto for £60million, they captured the signature of ex Chelsea and current Real Madrid centre-back Ricardo Carvalho on a free transfer and to cap it all off it has been announced that highly sought-after Athletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao will be joining them for a whopping £51m. £111m in the space of a few days would be impressive if it was Real Madrid or Manchester City doing the spending, but for AS Monaco to do it is unbelievable.
Football in France seems to be on the up. The extremely rich Paris Saint Germain have started to contend with Europe’s best and Marseille and Lyon are not far behind them. The rebirth of a footballing nation would surely be aided by worldwide superstars like Radamel Falcao and Victor Valdes (a Monaco target). Carlos Tevez and Patrice Evra are two other names being linked with AS. Imagine how much more money (from sponsorships) and publicity French football will get if players like this arrive at Stade Louis II next year?
Can France afford to not have Monaco in the top flight?
Monaco know how important players like Falcao would be for French football. They have achieved the ultimate bargaining position in their quest for top division action. Rybolovlev will keep spending until the UNBV (French FA) cave and give Monaco one of the 20 starting berths in the race to be France’s best team.
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