UEFA clears Manchester clubs, Nice, Girona to play in Europe
UEFA has confirmed that Manchester City and Girona are eligible to participate in the Champions League, while Manchester United and Nice can compete in the Europa League, following resolutions of multi-club ownership concerns.
Manchester City, as Premier League champions, and Girona, both part of the City Group, have met UEFA’s requirements after significant changes were implemented to comply with ownership rules. Similarly, Manchester United, owned in part by Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos company, and Nice have been cleared after adjustments were made to governance and financial structures.
READ ALSO: UEFA promises comprehensive explanations of VAR decisions at Euro 2024
UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) stated that these changes ensure no single entity exerts decisive influence over more than one club participating in UEFA competitions. Measures include transferring ownership shares to independent trustees until July 2025 and refraining from player transfers, commercial cooperation, or shared coaching and scouting activities until September 2025.
The clubs involved have committed to further compliance checks when ownership stakes are returned next year.
Proofreading, editing by Sakinat Musa Abubakar and Jamila Yunusa Suleiman, Editor and Sub- editor at Neptune Prime
