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Both Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly set to be allowed by UEFA to play in Europe alongside their respective sister clubs.
Following the completion of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial investment into United, an issue that came up and needed to be urgently addressed was the conflict brought about by INEOS’ majority ownership of French outfit OGC Nice.
Ratcliffe and INEOS completed a takeover of Nice in 2019. UEFA rules restrict the influence any individual or organisation can have over more than one club participating in the same competition.
Both United and Nice have qualified for next season’s Europa League and it was stated that an independent panel was considering whether the issue is against UEFA’s regulations on multi-club ownership.
Since the Red Devils (8th) finished below Nice (5th) in their league, Erik ten Hag’s men would have been forced to drop down to the Conference League.
City were also facing a similar issue after La Liga side Girona – who are owned by the City Football Group – also qualified clinched Champions League football ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Times have given a huge update on the matter and indicate that both Premier League outfits will be allowed to play in Europe alongside their respective sister clubs.
The newspaper reveals, “Uefa’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) is due to issue a ruling on multi-club ownership issues on Monday for the two Manchester clubs and others involved in European competition.”
“It is understood the CFCB is set to give approval to the Manchester clubs playing along with their sister clubs subject to certain conditions. However the clubs are to be told that the 2024-25 season will be viewed as a transitional one and there will not be as much leeway given in future seasons.”
“The CFCB is expected to say Girona and Nice should he operated via a “blind trust” by a panel approved by Uefa. That model was used this season in a deal for AC Milan, Toulouse and their American investor Red Bird Capital.”
The Times note that they have seen details of a Uefa document on multi-club ownership which explains that a blind trust would be a “temporary alternative” granted on an exceptional basis for the 2024/25 Uefa competitions.
The document further notes that the football governing body’s rules on multi-club ownership may be changed for future seasons in an effort to reflect the changing administrative landscape within the sport.
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