Why were AC Milan banned from the Europa League and have they been allowed back into the competition?
AC Milan will not be playing in Europe next season after falling foul of the Financial Fair Play rules
AC MILAN looked to have the world at their feet when their new chairman, Li Yonghong, ploughed millions into the club last summer.
But they ended the 2017/18 campaign in crisis after being banned from playing the Europa League for one season.
Are AC Milan still banned from the Europa League?
AC Milan have been reinstated to the Europa League after the Court of Arbitration for Sport found in their favour.
The that they failed to reach the Financial Fair Play break-even requirement.
But they said that the decision to ban the Rossoneri from Europe was disproportionate and they have ordered Uefa to come up with a new punishment.
Who would have replaced AC Milan in the Europa League?
Fiorentina were set to be the 'lucky losers', after finishing eighth in Serie A last season, two places below Milan.
But their stroke of luck now seems to be a curse as they will have to re-evaluate their pre-season and prepare for life without European football.
Spare a thought for Atalanta as well, who now have just six days to prepare for an unexpected trip to Bosnia to face Sarajevo.
Gian Piero Gasperini's side were set to enter the competition at the group stage in September, but must now go through qualifying as Milan have taken back their automatic berth.
Why were AC Milan been banned for a year?
The Italian giants won the Champions League for their seventh title as recent as 2007.
But they were then kicked out of all European competitions for a season after breach Financial Fair Play rules.
WE'RE RON THE BALL All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Following their takeover by Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux in April last year, AC Milan proceeded to spend over £160 million on new players including Leonardo Bonucci and Andre Silva.
With owner's funds not taken into account for the FFP rules, Milan have failed to break even.