After the professional team’s refusal to commit to National 1, AS Monaco Basket is attempting to continue its history at two levels. The amateur section competes in National 3 and wishes to play at Gaston-Médecin. In parallel, the professional structure reportedly requested its integration into ABA 2, the second division of the Adriatic League.
Men’s basketball will remain present in Monaco
« BASKETBALL DOES NOT STOP IN MONACO. » The message published Wednesday, September 23 by AS Monaco Basket Association comes in a particular context for the Principality’s club. A few months after the French championship title won by the professional team, Monegasque men’s basketball finds itself without a validated commitment in French championships.
The professional team did not secure its place in Betclic Elite, in Elite 2 then in National 1. The CNOSF ultimately confirmed the French Basketball Federation’s refusal regarding NM1. An emergency injunction procedure before the Paris Administrative Court has reportedly been initiated by the club’s lawyer.
Meanwhile, another team carries AS Monaco’s colors on French courts. The amateur section is engaged in National 3, the fifth tier of French basketball. Two matchdays have already been played in pool A.
The team has one victory against Aubagne, (78-69), and one defeat at Golfe-Juan – Vallauris, (93-86). This team constitutes the reserve for AS Monaco Basket and currently represents the Principality in the French men’s championship.
AS Monaco Basket Association now wants to maintain this meeting with the public. The stated wish is to play home matches at the Gaston-Médecin arena, subject to obtaining the necessary authorization: « Our National 3 team will indeed be engaged in the championship and the club will do everything to ensure that all of its home matches can be played at the Gaston-Médecin arena, the historic home of AS Monaco Basket. »
The stakes thus go beyond just the competition. After the disappearance of the professional project in French championships, the association wants to maintain a presence in the Principality and continue to keep the red and white colors alive.
A new avenue to maintain the professional project
The professional team’s situation could however evolve in another direction. Excluded from various French championships, the Roca Team reportedly submitted a request to join the second division of the Adriatic League, ABA 2.
This competition currently brings together clubs notably from Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, North Macedonia and Kosovo. The championship is scheduled to begin on September 29, with groups of four or five teams. The winner of each group then competes in the final phase.
A document sent by AS Monaco to Ostoja Mijailovic, president of the ABA League, was reportedly obtained by a Serbian media outlet. A response is expected quickly given the competition’s schedule. Monegasque participation would allow maintaining a professional structure despite decisions made in France. The project would also be associated with a sporting ambition with the goal of promotion from the first season.
This hypothesis comes as the future of several club employees remains uncertain. According to information communicated around the matter, 22 people could find themselves unemployed if no solution were found for the professional structure.
The ABA 2 avenue remains at this stage a request, and not an established integration. The championship is set to begin in a few days and any possible arrival of Monaco still needs to be validated.
For AS Monaco Basket Association, the calendar is already underway. NM3 is continuing its season and the club wants to return to Gaston-Médecin for its home matches. The statement also emphasizes the role of supporters: « We also know that the Roca Family is numerous, loyal and deeply attached to its club. That is why, if we obtain permission to play at Gaston-Médecin, we hope to see many of you there to support our team. »
Two trajectories are thus emerging around Monegasque men’s basketball. The first is already concrete with NM3. The second remains pending a response with the request for integration into ABA 2. The club intends in any case to maintain a connection with its identity and its training. « Because the red and white jersey will continue to be worn. Because our young players will continue to fight on every court. Because our club will continue to bring basketball to life in the Principality. »
The final message summarizes the intention expressed by the association: « Basketball does not stop in Monaco. Neither does the Roca Family. »
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