On July 5th, UEFA announced a significant decision allowing Manchester United, Manchester City, along with their sister clubs Nice and Girona, to participate in the same tier of European competitions next season.
Previously, Manchester United secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the 24/25 season, while Manchester City qualified for the UEFA Europa League. However, Girona, which is also part of the City Football Group like Manchester City, earned a UEFA Champions League berth, and Nice, affiliated with the Ineos Group like Manchester United, qualified for the UEFA Europa League. This created a scenario where sister clubs from the same group would compete in the same continental competition.
UEFA had a rule that prohibited clubs with more than a 30% ownership link from competing in the same tournament. Nevertheless, the official statement now allows all four teams to participate in European competitions next season.
The reason provided by UEFA is that recent “substantial changes” have taken place at Nice involving its investors, resulting in no individual or entity having control over both Manchester United and Nice clubs. A similar situation applies to Manchester City, ensuring that there is no single group controlling and managing both clubs, thus enabling them both to compete in the same continental event.
UEFA Official: Manchester United, Manchester City, Nice, and Girona Allowed to Compete in Same Continental Tournaments. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/football-world/14485.html
