Prince Albert II has described the crisis surrounding AS Monaco Basket as a source of “profound disappointment”, urging the reigning French champions to rebuild “on solid foundations” after the club was shut out of professional basketball and forced to seek a place in France’s third tier.
In a statement issued by the Prince’s Palace on Friday 4th September, the Prince broke his silence on the turmoil that has engulfed the Roca Team, which lifted four domestic trophies only months ago but has since been barred from the Betclic Élite, Élite 2 and European competition over its finances.
From a clean sweep to the third division
The scale of the fall is stark. AS Monaco Basket completed a domestic quadruple in 2026 — the French championship, French Cup, Leaders Cup and Super Cup — and had been a fixture in the EuroLeague for five seasons, reaching the final in 2025. Yet on 3rd July the LNB’s financial watchdog, the DNCCG, refused to admit the club to the top two divisions for the 2026-27 season, citing its financial position. The FFBB’s appeals chamber upheld the ruling, and the CNOSF later recommended it stand.
On 28th August the French federation’s board declined to reopen the case, even after a new investor was reported ready to inject €10 million and the club said it had cleared its historic debts. On 1st September, the Roca Team announced it would apply to Nationale Masculine 1, pledging to refound its sporting, economic and social project on lasting foundations, with its youth academy at the centre of the rebuild.
‘A profound disappointment’
“The situation of AS Monaco Basket is, for many of us, synonymous with profound disappointment, and calls for clear-headedness and responsibility,” the Prince said. “Having already experienced similar difficulties in the past, in 1991, the club must today be able to rebuild on solid foundations.”
He credited the team with raising the Principality’s profile abroad, saying its performances, European standing and the enthusiasm it generates had “contributed greatly to Monaco’s international renown”.
‘An entire ecosystem to preserve’
The Prince called for the coming period to be approached “with seriousness, dialogue and a long-term vision”, stressing that the club amounted to far more than its first team. “Behind the professional team are employees, young people, directors, volunteers, supporters and an entire sporting ecosystem that must be preserved,” he said. “We must support the development of Monegasque basketball while guaranteeing stability, transparency and local roots.”
A message of confidence
Addressing those inside the club directly, the Prince said: “I address a message of confidence to the players, the staff, the directors, the volunteers and the supporters: these difficulties must be overcome collectively, with ambition and responsibility.” He also welcomed the Monegasque Government’s support for the club.
He closed by framing the sport as central to the Principality’s image. “Basketball has become a true showcase for Monaco. We must give it the means to continue its story and to contribute to the reputation of our Principality,” he said.
Should its application be accepted, Monaco would begin life in the third tier on 18th September at home to Berck — a world away from the EuroLeague nights of recent seasons, and with academy players expected to form the core of a much-changed squad.
See also:
From champions to third tier: Roca Team reveals plan to rebuild
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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life