Manchester United could reportedly be banned from the Champions League following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment. It is claimed Ratcliffe’s ownership of Nice could see the Red Devils barred from Europe’s elite club competition next season.
Ratcliffe is set to buy a 25 per cent stake in United worth £1.3billion. The news is set to finally be confirmed in the coming days to put an end to the year-long Old Trafford takeover saga.
However, there could be a major issue moving forward with regard to participation in Europe. Ratcliffe and his company INEOS also own French side Nice, who have started the season strongly in Ligue 1.
UEFA’s ‘multi-club ownership rules’ prevent two teams with the same owner from participating in the same competition. According to The Sun, this could see United banned from playing in the Champions League next season.
That could be the case if United have a lower league finish than Nice this term. Nice are currently second in Ligue 1, just a point behind Paris Saint-Germain.
The French top-flight is set to be given three automatic spots to qualify for the Champions League and one play-off place. The Premier League looks set to have its direct qualification spots increased to five.
The Sun claims UEFA’s ruling on multi-club ownership states that United and Nice can only both play in Europe next season if one is in the Champions League and the other the Europa Conference League. If both teams finish in one of each country’s respective Champions League spots, then the team that finishes higher will qualify and the other banned from any European competition.
If United and Nice both finish in the same position, it will be United who get the nod due to their ranking in UEFA’s ‘access list’. The Red Devils could also be barred from playing in the Europa League.
If Ten Hag’s side finish sixth or win the FA Cup, they would usually directly qualify for the second-tier competition. However, if Nice finished fourth in Ligue 1, with the prospect of losing a Champions League qualifier and dropping into the Europa League, United would not be allowed to play in the tournament.
A UEFA source said to The Sun: “As the rules stand, it’s a clear situation. Ineos own Nice and are set to have a significant role in running United.
“Unless the regulations are changed, or INEOS sell one of their stakes, they cannot both play in European competitions, unless one is in the Champions League and the other in the Conference League.”
