Cash-strapped Mallorca banned from Europe

Cash-strapped Spanish league club Real Mallorca, who boast world tennis number one Rafael Nadal as a shareholder, have been banned from this season's Europa League, UEFA announced yesterday.

European football's governing body said the decision had been taken after Mallorca, who finished in seventh spot in La Liga last season, fell foul of strict financial regulations.

In May, the club went into voluntary administration with debts estimated by the Spanish media at between 50 and 60 million euros.

"At its meeting in Nyon, the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body decided that the Spanish club RCD Mallorca is not admitted to the UEFA club competitions for the 2010/11 season," said a UEFA statement.

"The Control and Disciplinary Body ruled that the club does not fulfil the necessary admission criteria."

Nadal agreed to become a shareholder in his hometown club after winning his second Wimbledon title earlier this month.

Mallorca, who have appointed former Danish international Michael Laudrup as coach, now have three days in which to decide whether or not to appeal the ban.