Debt-ridden Mallorca said it was surprised to be excluded by UEFA on Thursday from playing in this season's Europa League.
The Spanish club went into voluntary administration in May with debts of a reported €60 million ($77 million).
The UEFA control and disciplinary body said Mallorca did not fulfill ''the necessary admission criteria as the license of the club was not granted in accordance'' with the competition's regulations.
Mallorca said in a statement on it's website that UEFA's decision came as a ''surprise,'' especially since UEFA offered no ''legal arguments.''
Mallorca disputed it was not conforming to regulations, saying it received its UEFA license on May 14.
It said it would wait until it received the full decision from UEFA before deciding on how to proceed. Mallorca has three days to appeal Thursday's decision to the UEFA appeal panel. It can then go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it proves unsuccessful there.
Villarreal takes Mallorca's place for the Aug. 6 draw.
Mallorca finished fifth in the Spanish league last season, and was in the Champions League hunt until the final round of games.
