UEFA has confirmed AC Milan have been reinstated to the 2018-19 Europa League following the Court of Arbitration for Sport's (CAS) ruling that their ban was not proportionate to breaching Financial Fair Play regulations.
Milan were told in June that UEFA had taken action against their alleged breaches of break-even requirements, barring them from competing in Europe's second-tier competition for next season.
The club immediately launched an appeal to CAS, who ruled on Friday that UEFA's punishment was too harsh.
CAS' annulment of the ban did not officially act as a reinstatement to the competition, because they confirmed Milan's failure with respect to the break-even regulations and urged UEFA to hand down a "proportionate disciplinary measure".
But UEFA has since released a statement on the situation and confirmed Milan – who finished sixth in Serie A last term and were runners-up in the Coppa Italia – will be allowed to compete in the competition next term, joining at the group stage.
The statement read: "Earlier this month, the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Club Financial Control body, chaired by Jose Narciso da Cunha Rodrigues, decided that AC Milan had breached the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations; in particular the break-even requirement.
"As a result, the chamber decided to exclude AC Milan from the 2018-19 Europa League.
"As is permitted, AC Milan appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), who confirmed the chamber's view that there had been a breach of the regulations.
"However, the CAS noted that there were some important elements that could not properly be assessed by the adjudicatory chamber – most significantly the improvement of the club's financial situation as a result of the recent change of ownership.
"As a result, AC Milan is reinstated to the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League and the CAS has referred the case back to the adjudicatory chamber to decide on the appropriate disciplinary measure, in the light of these developments."
Ryan Benson
Fri Jul 20 2018
Serie A: Pioli sanjung profesionalisme barisan Milan
Pengurus AC Milan, Stefano Pioli, gembira dengan perpaduan dalam kalangan pemainnya tetapi berkata prestasi mereka masih perlu ditingkatkan apabila bersedia untuk melayani kunjungan Udinese, malam ini.
Serie A: Garcia tagih kemenangan Napoli sambut kunjungan Milan
Rudi Garcia berazam untuk menumbangkan AC Milan, awal pagi esok, dalam mengatur kebangkitan bagi mempertahankan kejuaraan Serie A, Napoli.
UCL: PSG sempitkan laluan AC Milan
Davide Calabria menyifatkan kegagalan penyudah sebagai punca AC Milan tumbang 0-3 kepada Paris St Germain (PSG), tetapi percaya mereka masih mampu meneruskan kemaraan dalam Liga Juara-Juara (UCL).
Serie A: Rafael Leao memang layak ketuai kebangkitan Milan
Pengurus Milan, Stefano Pioli, menjelaskan keputusannya melantik Rafael Leao sebagai ketua pasukan adalah berdasarkan sikap pemain kelahiran Portugal itu sendiri.
Milan dituntut melabur tingkatkan kualiti skuad sebaik jamin tiket UCL
Stefano Pioli menggesa Milan agar berani melabur selepas mengesahkan kelayakan Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) untuk musim ketiga berturut-turut.
Milan terjemah prestasi UCL ke peringkat domestik
Stefano Pioli memuji Milan yang mengulangi persembahannya hebat mereka dalam Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) ketika menumbangkan Lecce 2-0 dalam perlawanan Serie A, awal pagi tadi.
Olivier Giroud-Milan capai kesepakatan baru
Milan memperbaharui kontrak Olivier Giroud dan pemain antarabangsa Perancis tersebut dilaporkan bersetuju untuk kekal di kelab itu hingga akhir musim depan.
UCL: Milan ketepikan sentimen potensi jumpa Inter dalam separuh akhir
Stefano Pioli berhasrat menikmati kejayaan Milan mara ke peringkat separuh akhir Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) sebentar tadi, bukannya potensi berdepan musuh setempat, Inter.
UCL: Pengalaman bezakan Napoli-Milan -- Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti menyifatkan pengalaman cetek dan masalah kecergasan Napoli menjadi punca langkah mereka dimatikan dalam Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) oleh Milan, sebentar tadi.
UCL: Spalletti sahkan Osimhen bakal perkuat Napoli bertemu Milan
Luciano Spalletti mengesahkan Victor Osimhen akan memulakan pertembungan Liga Juara-Juara bertemu Milan selepas bintang Napoli yang kembali cergas beraksi dalam aksi seri tanpa jaringan menentang Hellas Verona.
England stars out cheaply as Dukes ball returns to County Championship
Warwickshire captain Alex Davies was the only player to score a century on Friday as the third round of matches began.
Emma Raducanu’s run at Stuttgart Open ended by world number one Iga Swiatek
The 21-year-old Briton had been boosted by winning four successive matches for the first time since her US Open title in 2021.
Man Utd appoint Jason Wilcox as new technical director after leaving Southampton
The 53-year-old former Premier League winner previously worked as Manchester City’s academy director.
Maya Le Tissier signs new deal with Manchester United
The England defender has signed a contract extension.
'Lot of value' in Warriors keeping Curry, Green and Thompson together, says Kerr
Klay Thompson is set to enter free agency, raising the prospect of the Golden State Warriors' iconic trio being broken up this offseason.
Cole Palmer has nothing to prove to City, says Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino
The Blues forward faces his former team in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Jack Grealish: FA Cup semi-final the perfect game to ‘put right’ European exit
Manchester City face Chelsea on Saturday looking to bounce back from the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid,
What has caused the row over FA Cup replays and what happens next?
All replays from the first round have been scrapped for next season.
Leonard questionable for Game 1 versus Mavs as Clippers monitor 'unpredictable' situation
Kawhi Leonard faces a battle to be available for Game 1 of the Los Angeles Clippers' first-round showdown with the Dallas Mavericks.