Uefa set for major rule change amid fears both Man Utd and City will NOT be able to play in Europe
MANCHESTER rivals United and City will both be allowed to play in Europe next season – as Uefa is rewriting its multi-club ownership rules.
Current Uefa regulations state that no individual or entity “may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa competition”.
Pep Guardiola’s side are the figurehead of the City Football Group, which includes shock La Liga contenders Girona.
Newly confirmed United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group also own Nice, who are second in France’s Ligue Un.
Current rules are based on defending the “integrity” of competitions, so that clubs under common ownership cannot manipulate results to the benefit of one or the other.
But Uefa general secretary Theodore Theodoridis confirmed Europe’s top brass are actively discussing a rules revamp for next season that would give both City and United the green light come what may – and access to £100m-plus in potential prize money.
Theodoridis said: “It’s a difficult issue and there are continuous discussions, with club representatives and with European Club Association representatives as well.
“We have to decide what we must do moving down the line because there is a change in our competitions.
“There are some clarifications to be done on the rules because now there will be no feeding between the competitions, where clubs can drop down from the Champions League to the Europa League, for example.
“Right now, because of the feeding system, there is an even bigger issue.
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“So we are trying to look at that and at the same time to speak to the clubs.
“Soon we will be coming up with the changes and you will be informed – because we have to adapt to the post-24 format as well.”
Under the current regulations, United would have to finish higher in the Prem than Nice did in France to be allowed to play in the Champions League, with the French side then not being allowed in any competition.
If they finished lower in the Prem, United could only play in Europe if they qualified directly for a specific competition – by their final league position or winning the FA Cup.
Even if Girona stay second in Spain – they are five points ahead of third-placed Barcelona – City would be sure of taking part in the competition next season by retaining the trophy or winning the Prem for a record fourth year running.
But the proposed changes – expected to be confirmed at the next meeting of Uefa’s ruling executive committee in Dublin in May – give United a potential £100m carrot for creeping into the top four.
And that would even be available for a fifth place finish if English teams progress deep in Europe to take one of the two extra Champions League slots in the expanded 36-team competition for the best performing nations each season.