Milan fans protested when the original punishments were handed down.
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LONDON, England -- UEFA have ruled that AC Milan can play in this season's
Champions League but theyr heavily criticized the club for their role in the
Italian match-fixing scandal.
In a strongly-worded statement issued on their Web site, the governing body said they did not
have legal grounds to deny the six-time champions entry but would change their regulations in
the future.
Milan now take their place in the third qualifying round -- and will play 1991 European
champions Red Star Belgrade next week.
The Italian powerhouse, owned by former premier Silvio Berlusconi, was found guilty in the
Serie A match-fixing probe but an Italian football appeals court adjudicating in the scandal
reduced its initial punishment.
Milan, initially deducted 15 points, had the deficit cut to eight which enabled them be included in
last Friday's Champions League draw.
The matter went to UEFA's Emergency Panel for a final ruling with both Milan and the Italian
football federation submitting written statements supporting the club's admission to Europe's
premier club tournament.
UEFA's strongly-worded statement read: "The UEFA Emergency Panel, being competent to
decide on this matter, came to the conclusion that it had no choice but to admit AC Milan for the
UEFA club competitions 2006/07 for formal reasons because of an insufficient legal basis in the
regulations which would allow not admitting AC Milan under the specific circumstances.
"The UEFA Emergency Panel made a clear statement to the club that 'this admission is far from
being given with the utmost conviction. AC Milan takes advantage of the fact that UEFA lacks
legal grounds to refuse the club's admission.
"In this respect, AC Milan is herewith informed that the necessary adaptations will be made to
the Regulations concerned.
"The UEFA Emergency Panel is deeply concerned that AC Milan has created the impression of
being involved in the improper influencing of the regular course of matches in the Italian football
championship.'"
UEFA added: "From the statement of AC Milan, the Panel concluded that 'the club has obviously
not yet properly perceived the troubles it is in and the damage it already caused to European
football.
"UEFA and the club's opponents will observe with the utmost attention the future attitude of AC
Milan around UEFA club competition fixtures.
"UEFA will not hesitate to intervene severely, should AC Milan be involved in any activities aiming
to arrange improperly the outcome of a match.'"
Milan lawyer Leandro Cantamessa was quoted as saying: "There were no alternatives. We are
innocent and things could not have gone differently.
"Being in this situation has taken away some of our calmness, but now everyone can
concentrate on the European event."
Italy will have four teams in the competition with Inter Milan and Roma entering at the group
stage and Chievo and AC Milan entering at the third qualifying round.