Girona, a LaLiga team, is facing a potential hurdle in their Champions League debut due to their affiliation with Manchester City, another club under the City Football Group (CFG). With Girona securing a top-four finish alongside City’s qualification for the 2024-25 competition, UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule comes into play. The ownership structure, with CFG holding 47% stake in Girona, raises concerns regarding a conflict of interest.
As per UEFA competition rules, in cases where two clubs from the same ownership group qualify for the same competition, the club finishing higher in their domestic league gets the spot. If both clubs finish at the same position, the one with the highest club coefficient gains qualification. In this scenario, with Manchester City on the verge of securing a runners-up spot in the Premier League, they are set to claim the Champions League slot over Girona.
While Girona is unlikely to be demoted to the Europa League to avoid a clash with City, they must exhibit their independence from Manchester City at a UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) meeting. Similar cases, such as RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg, owned by the Red Bull Group, have been cleared to participate in the Champions League despite shared ownership concerns.
Precedents
UEFA has previously addressed shared ownership issues with clubs like Aston Villa and Vitoria, Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise, and AC Milan and Toulouse, allowing them to participate in UEFA competitions following CFCB hearings. The upcoming case of Manchester United and Nice, potentially qualifying for European competition under INEOS Group, also highlights the need for regulatory scrutiny.
As the situation unfolds, with Nice currently holding a Europa League spot in Ligue 1 and Manchester United vying for European qualification, the outcome of the FA Cup Final could have ramifications on their continental prospects. The necessity of organizational transparency and distinctiveness in multi-club ownership setups is paramount for clubs seeking UEFA clearance.
The intricate relationship between Girona and Manchester City under the CFG umbrella underscores the complexities of multi-club ownership in modern football. As UEFA navigates the regulatory landscape to ensure fair competition and integrity in continental tournaments, clubs like Girona must adhere to stringent guidelines to participate in the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
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