May 3 – Manchester City and Girona could face a UEFA probe over their eligibility to compete in next season’s Champions League should the latter secure qualification because of rules around multi-club ownership, according to press reports.
Defending European champions City, knocked out in this season’s quarterfinals by Real Madrid, seem certain to qualify while Girona are flying high in La Liga but both clubs fall under the City Football Group (CFG) banner.
According to UEFA statutes, no participating club can “be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
It has been reported that both clubs have submitted evidence to UEFA showing they had made significant governance changes, separating any alleged “control or influence” between them.
But with UEFA rules prohibiting ownership of more than one football club that play in the same competition, reports suggest UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) could sit to determine whether both can be registered for next year’s Champions League, should the La Liga side maintain their current form.
If UEFA decides to act, ruling that only one club under the CFG ownership can enter, whoever finishes higher in their respective domestic division would likely take the Champions League spot – and that will almost certainly be City.
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