Manchester United have been given the green light to participate in the Europa League after UEFA made a decision about their future in the competition.
Despite finishing eighth in the Premier League – a record worst performance for the Red Devils – Erik ten Hag’s underperforming squad secured their spot in next season’s second-tier European competition. That was earned with a shock FA Cup upset win over Manchester City.
However, there were doubts about their eligibility due to Nice, another team owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe through his INEOS chemical company, also qualifying. The French side finished fifth in Ligue 1 last season, and UEFA rules prohibit clubs owned by the same entity from competing in the same European tournament.
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Normally, the lower-ranking team, in this case, United, would be relegated to the Europa Conference League. But according to The Times, both United and Nice will be allowed to compete in the Europa League next season.
UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board is set to issue a ruling on multi-club ownership issues on Monday, June 3. It is anticipated. the CFCB will approve United’s participation alongside Nice, subject to certain conditions.
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They will also be warned that the upcoming season will be considered transitional, and this leniency will not be extended in future years, reports the Mirror. The CFCB is poised to decide that Nice should be run through a ‘blind trust’ by a UEFA-approved panel.
This model has been employed this season by AC Milan and Toulouse, both owned by Red Bird Capital. A UEFA document on multi-club ownership reportedly suggests a blind trust as a ‘temporary alternative… granted on an exceptional basis for the 2024-25 Uefa competitions’. It also hints at potential changes to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule in future seasons.
INEOS holds only a 27.7 percent stake in United, but Ratcliffe has been given the reins of the club’s football and business operations by the Glazer family, the majority owners. The British billionaire previously acquired Nice in 2019.
Ratcliffe also owns Swiss Super League team Lausanne-Sport, although they haven’t secured a spot in a European competition for next year. The ruling on multi-club ownership also impacts Manchester City.
After clinching the Premier League title this season, they’ve qualified for the Champions League. However, their owners, City Football Group, also control La Liga team Girona, who will compete in Europe’s top tier next term.
Both City and Girona will retain their spots in the competitions they originally qualified for. The CFCB is believed to have examined the CFG links due to the clubs’ transfer activities this season, but has given both teams the green light to play.