MANCHESTER UNITED will be allowed into next season’s Europa League as Uefa prepare to make an announcement on multi-club ownership rules.
The Red Devils secured Europa League football after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
But they faced fears of being relegated to the Europa Conference League due to new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, 71, controlling Ligue 1 side Nice – who have also secured Europa League football.
But now, according to The Times, Uefa will permit both of Ratcliffe’s clubs to participate in the competition for the 2024/25 campaign.
Uefa’s Club Financial Control Board is expected to issue a ruling on Monday regarding multi-club ownership that will allow the teams to play in the same European tournament.
This will be subject to certain conditions including Nice being operated by a “blind trust”, a panel approved by Uefa.
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The same procedure will enable City Football Group clubs Man City and Girona to compete in the Champions League.
The “blind trust” model was used this season to allow Red Bird Capital-owned clubs AC Milan and Toulouse to play in the Europa League.
Girona’s links to the City Football Group have been scrutinised after three of their key players were loaned or sold via the ownership’s influence.
Uefa’s alteration to their rules will act as a “temporary alternative… granted on an exceptional basis for the 2024-25 Uefa competitions”.
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The report states the rules could change and that “not as much leeway” will be given in future seasons.
Ratcliffe’s Ineos own 27.7 per cent of Man Utd, while the Glazer family still hold a controlling stake in the club.
British billionaire Ratcliffe also owns Swiss side Lausanne-Sport, but they failed to qualify for European football this season after finishing 10th in their country’s 12-team top flight.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
