UEFA have reportedly taken a decision on Manchester United’s Europa League slot next season due to the Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s double club ownership
Manchester United turned a corner away from a disappointing campaign in the Premier League and beat cross-city rivals Manchester City to win the 2023-24 FA Cup and qualify for the Europa League next season.
Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo saw United see off City to offer some semblance of hope of a possible better campaign next season.
United’s Wembley triumph saw Chelsea lose Europa League place to drop to the European third tier with United qualifying for the competition next season.
However, there was a dilemma for the Red Devils following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man United partial takeover of the club.
European football governing body, UEFA have restrictions in place against multi-club ownership. Two clubs with the same ownership cannot play in the same competition.
Apart from his Manchester United ownership, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is also the owner of French Ligue 1 side Nice.
Both Nice and Manchester United have qualified for European club competitions next season. So, it was suggested either Manchester United or Nice will be left out of the UEFA Club competition next season.
In the event of the two clubs qualifying for Europe next season as it is, the one that finished higher in their respective domestic leagues will enter the competition. So, Manchester United who finished 8th in the Premier League were expected to drop out for Nice, who finished 5th.
Now, according to The Times, UEFA have reportedly given Manchester United the go-ahead to compete in the competition next season due to some exceptions.
Part of the exception is body’s resolve that the 2024-25 is a transitional season, hence the need to waive some rules.
The European football’s governing body is reportedly set to fully enforce the integrity law, banning clubs with the same ownership from competing in same UEFA competitions after the next campaign, as added by The Times.
This means Girona and Manchester City, who have both qualified for Champions League next season will play in the tournament against projections despite being owned by City Football Group.
