AC Milan ask to be kicked out of Europa League so they can go on spending spree

AC MILAN are SEEKING a European ban – so they can spend, spend, spend this summer.

The San Siro giants face being banned from the Europa League for failing to meet Financial Fair Play rules between in the three years up to last summer.

It was the second season in succession that Milan have fallen foul of the Uefa money-men.

But the penalty was put on hold pending the final decision on the 2017 case, which is in the hands of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Now, though, Milan chief executive, former Arsenal boss Ivan Gazidis, is seeking to bring the punishment forward – so that the club are NOT assessed by Uefa for at least another year.

Uefa’s FFP rules say clubs can lose just £27m over three years.

Despite the warnings, Milan spent around £180m on transfers in 2018-19 after being taken over by US hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation – only to again finish outside the Serie A top four.

Earlier this month, Uefa announced the 2018 case was being delayed “until after the issuance of the award in the ongoing CAS proceedings”.

But Gazidis wants Uefa to order the ban is applied NOW, allowing the club the chance to avoid having to put the latest set of accounts into Uefa.

It would also mean no spending sanctions, giving the green light to another summer spending spree.

Milan’s gamble is that they can make the top four in the coming season, making a huge cash windfall from the new Uefa “historical” rankings calculation.

The San Siro side would appeal any FFP punishment imposed this time next year, delaying the process for a season, by which time they will be able to show they have started to balance the books.