Girona’s historic qualification for the Champions League is now in limbo due to their connection with partner club Manchester City. UEFA rules state that clubs under the same ownership group cannot both participate in the same competition, raising concerns about Girona’s spot in the 2024-25 Champions League.
As one of the 13 teams within the City Football Group (CFG), Girona’s qualification alongside Manchester City poses a challenge in accordance with Article 5 of the UEFA club competitions regulations. With CFG owning a significant portion of Girona and the presence of Marcelo Claure as a major shareholder, who also holds ownership in another CFG team, there are clear conflicts of interest that need to be addressed.
According to UEFA guidelines, the club with the higher domestic league finish or club coefficient will be granted the Champions League spot in case of dual qualification. With Manchester City on the verge of securing a runners-up position in the Premier League, they are set to snag the spot ahead of Girona, based on the outlined criteria.
Despite the concerns over shared ownership, sources suggest that Girona is unlikely to be relegated to the Europa League. However, the Spanish club must prove its independence from Manchester City at a UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) meeting in the upcoming summer before getting the green light to participate in the Champions League.
Previous cases involving clubs with shared ownership, such as RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg, have been cleared to play in the Champions League. UEFA has also accepted the participation of other clubs with ownership connections, like Aston Villa and Vitoria, demonstrating a willingness to evaluate each case individually.
In the event of Manchester United and Nice qualifying for European competition, similar concerns may arise due to their connection with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group. Both clubs are facing the possibility of a CFCB hearing should they secure a spot in continental tournaments, highlighting the complexities surrounding shared ownership in football.
Girona’s path to the Champions League is currently clouded by regulatory uncertainties stemming from their ties with Manchester City. As the club navigates through the clearance process and outlines its autonomy from its partner club, the footballing world awaits to see if Girona will ultimately be granted the opportunity to make their mark in Europe’s premier club competition.
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