INEOS’ response to the rumor that Manchester United may be barred from the Champions League

According to information obtained by 90min, UEFA is formulating measures to prevent teams with multi-club ownership from being barred from European competitions.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s forthcoming acquisition of a 25% stake in Manchester United via his firm, INEOS, which already owns, among other sporting ventures, high-flying Ligue 1 side OGC Nice and Swiss club Lausanne-Sport, has rekindled interest in the matter.

Existing regulations have generated concern due to the fact that Nice are currently one point behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain and on track to qualify for the Champions League. These regulations have the potential to impede INEOS, as Manchester United is also vying for European qualification.

British INEOS Group chairman and OGC Nice’s owner Jim Ratcliffe looks on before the French Cup final football match between OGC Nice and FC Nantes at the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, on the outskirts of Paris, on May 7, 2022. (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY / AFP) (Photo by BERTRAND GUAY/AFP via Getty Images)

UEFA’s Champions League rules stipulate that no club competing in any UEFA competition is allowed to “hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition or have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition.”

A preliminary inquiry was conducted by UEFA in 2017 regarding the connections between Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, both of which were slated to participate in the Champions League. The “unusually high” level of transfer activity and similarities in “visual identity” between them were noted. In the end, however, the governing body of European football determined that both clubs had adequate independence, and they met in the group stage of the 2018-19 Europa League.

According to 90min, INEOS has no intention of relinquishing Nice or Lausanne and is not concerned about a potential conflict with UEFA once the investment in Manchester United becomes formal. Additionally, they do not intend to adopt the multi-club ownership model that is prevalent elsewhere. INEOS has established communication with UEFA representatives and has received assurances that no significant complications will arise in the future.

Without modifying regulations to prevent clubs from being punished, UEFA is cognizant that this issue may persist as ownership groups proliferate. Five of City Football Group’s thirteen clubs worldwide, including Manchester City, are owned or held in varying degrees of interest by the organization. Among them is Girona, the current La Liga leaders.