Manchester City and Manchester United Cleared for European Competition.
Manchester City and Manchester United have been granted clearance to participate in European competitions next season, following the resolution of conflicts concerning multi-club ownership with Girona and Nice respectively.
Despite the clearance, United will be restricted from signing highly-rated Nice defender Jean-Clair Todibo, as ruled by UEFA.
City Football Group (CFG) owns Manchester City and Girona, while Ineos controls the football operations of Manchester United and Nice. UEFA regulations prohibit clubs with the same ownership from competing in the same tournament.
On Friday, the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) of UEFA announced that “significant changes” at Girona and Nice would “substantially restrict investors’ influence and decision-making power.” Additionally, shares have been transferred through independent trustees to a blind trust, overseen by the CFCB.
Among the additional guarantees provided by CFG and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group to demonstrate the independence of the respective clubs, there is an agreement not to transfer players “permanently or on loan, either directly or indirectly from July 2024 to September 2025.” This restriction prevents United from signing Todibo, the £40m-rated defender.
However, Manchester City’s pursuit of Brazilian winger Savio remains unaffected, as he has returned to parent club Troyes, another CFG club, following the expiration of his loan with Girona on 30 June.
A source from CFG told BBC Sport that City and Girona complied with all CFCB requests. Ineos also expressed satisfaction, stating: “We are pleased with the positive decision from the First Chamber of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body, which will see Manchester United play in the Europa League next season. The focus for Manchester United is on the season ahead and performance on the pitch.”
Manchester City will embark on their 14th consecutive Champions League campaign, while Girona qualified for the first time by finishing third in La Liga, their highest ever league position. Although Nice appeared set to qualify for the Champions League for most of last season, they ultimately finished fifth in Ligue 1. Manchester United secured their place in the Europa League by defeating Premier League champions City in the FA Cup final.
The long-term resolution of this matter remains to be seen, as the shares are scheduled to be transferred back in July 2025. At that time, the CFCB will consider the clubs to be “under the control or decisive influence of their investor.”
