Sevilla Handed Europa League Spot In Place of Malaga, For Now.

There was some interesting, and frustrating, news coming out of Spain today for fans of La Liga side Malaga.  The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland has dismissed their appeal to set aside their ban from European Football and play in the Europa League next season.  Their spot will now go to Sevilla, provisionally.

Last December UEFA banned Malaga from European competitions for two years after they were found to be in violation of financial fair play rules.  That ban was later reduced to one year.  Malaga spent much of the 2012-2013 campaign fighting for the fourth and final Champion's League spot, but faded toward the end of the season.  In addition, the court upheld the fine of 300,000 euros leveled by UEFA, which Malaga will now have to pay.

Eighth place side Rayo Vallecano had hopes of being granted the Europa League spot should Malaga's ban be upheld.  However, UEFA have not granted them a license for European competitions.  This being the case, the spot will go to ninth place Sevilla.  Rayo is still hopeful of a decision from the same court in the favor, which would grant them that spot in Europe.