Andorran Fund Clayton Sport Offers to Rescue Monaco Basket with Ronaldinho Backing

An Andorran investment fund, Clayton Sport, has positioned itself as a key player in efforts to rescue AS Monaco Basket, the financially troubled French club at risk of losing its place in top-tier competition. The proposal, which includes Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho, was outlined in a letter of intent sent this week to the club's general manager, Oleksiy Yefimov.

Clayton Sport, which also owns FC Andorra, has pledged to cover Monaco's €2.5 million debt to the EuroLeague, provide a €5 million bank guarantee required by France's DNCCG regulatory body, and ensure the club's viability in coming years. Ronaldinho is among those expressing interest in the project, according to reports from RMC Sport and L'Équipe.

The move comes amid a tight timeline for Monaco, last season's French champions, which has been excluded from this year's EuroLeague and now faces demotion from the Betclic Élite league unless it secures its professional status before the championship starts in late September. The club has been pursuing an alternative takeover since May, led by former NBA player Jamal Mashburn and Helen Holdings, though that deal remains unresolved.

Monaco plans to appeal to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee by August 18 to challenge its Betclic Élite exclusion. No decisions have been announced on the rival bids.

Clayton Sport's involvement would mark a significant expansion of its sports portfolio beyond FC Andorra into one of Europe's leading basketball outfits, as the Roca Team battles to avoid collapse.