Manchester City and Manchester United can breathe a sigh of relief as they were cleared to participate in the Champions League and Europa League respectively. However, this green light comes with strings attached, following an investigation by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB).
The initial hurdle stemmed from concerns regarding the ownership of both clubs by City Football Group (CFG) and INEOS Sport, respectively. These entities also hold stakes in Girona (Spain) and Nice (France), raising potential conflicts with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
To address these concerns, CFG and INEOS implemented significant changes. Crucially, they will transfer their shares in Girona and Nice to an independent trustee, effectively severing control, for a period extending until July 1, 2025. This move, under the watchful eye of the CFCB First Chamber, demonstrates a clear effort to comply with regulations.
Furthermore, player transfers between these four clubs are prohibited until September 2025. This additional restriction aims to eliminate any potential for preferential treatment or financial manipulation.
UEFA acknowledged these changes in a statement, highlighting that they “substantially restrict the investors’ influence and decision-making power over more than one club.” However, the governing body will remain vigilant, maintaining close oversight throughout the 2024/25 season to ensure continued adherence to the multi-club ownership rules.
This saga serves as a stark reminder of UEFA’s commitment to financial fair play and preventing potential conflicts of interest. While both Manchester clubs can now focus on their European campaigns, the episode underscores the complex challenges surrounding multi-club ownership in modern football.
