UEFA will reportedly allow Manchester United to play in the Europa League next season despite the European governing body’s restrictions on multi-club ownership.
United and Nice, who are also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s company Ineos, have both qualified for the competition next season.
As Mail Sport reported in March, an updated version of UEFA’s integrity laws stated that in the event of two clubs from the same ownership group qualifying for the same competition, only one would be permitted to enter.
This normally would be given to the team who finished higher in their respective league, with Nice placing 5th and Manchester United 8th. However, United did win the FA Cup, a trophy where the winners automatically go into next season’s Europa League – unless they qualify for the Champions League.
The Times have reported that Manchester United have been given the go-ahead by UEFA to compete in the same competition as Nice next season subject to certain conditions, though this could be a one-off.
UEFA will reportedly allow Manchester United to play in next season’s Europa League
United and Nice – also owner by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos – both qualified for the competition
UEFA will reportedly make a ruling on multi-ownership issues on Monday which will allow both clubs to enter the Europa League (Atalanta star Ademola Lookman pictured with the trophy)
The newspaper claim that Nice will be told that they should be operated via a ‘blind trust’ – by a panel approved by UEFA.
That model was used this season in a deal involving AC Milan, Toulouse and their American investor Red Bird Capital.
It’s said that clubs will also be told that the 2024-25 season will be viewed as a transitional one, and there ‘won’t be as much leeway’ in future years.
A document seen by the Times says that a blind trust would be a ‘temporary alternative granted on an exceptional basis’ for next season and that changes to multi-club ownership rules could change in future years.
The ruling would also mean that both Manchester City and Girona will be allowed to compete in the Champions League.
Girona – owned by City Football Group – could have been affected if UEFA had taken their original stance on the matter, as they finished third in LaLiga and could have dropped to the Europa League – given that Man City won the Premier League title.
The LaLiga side, like Nice, would also have to be operated via a blind trust.
Ineos bought Nice in 2019, before acquiring a 27.7 per cent stake in United earlier this season.
The Premier League side qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup final in May
Nice finished higher in Ligue 1 than Manchester United did in the Premier League
The ruling would also allow Man City and Girona to both play in the Champions League
However, a further £245million investment in United has been pledged by Sir Jim Ratcliffe that will take Ineos’ stake above the 30 per cent threshold under UEFA rules.
Ratcliffe also owns Swiss Super League side Lausanne, though they have not qualified for a European competition this season.
Ineos in a statement said: ‘We are aware of the position of both clubs and are in direct dialogue with UEFA. We are confident we have a route forward for next season in Europe.
