Ineos, the company holding a notable stake in Manchester United and sole ownership of Nice, has expressed confidence in resolving the issue that may hinder both clubs from participating in the Europa League next season. Under the leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the company oversees Manchester United’s football operations and finalized the acquisition of Nice in 2019.
Per Uefa regulations, an entity is prohibited from exerting influence over more than one club in the same competition. Consequently, an independent panel will intervene and issue a ruling on the matter prior to the commencement of next season’s Europa League qualifying rounds in mid-July.
Previously, Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise restructured its ownership to comply with Uefa’s rules in order to compete in the Europa League alongside Brighton. Similarly, Aston Villa and Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes faced a similar situation in the Europa Conference League.
Additionally, Manchester City and Girona, both part of the City Football Group, are also encountering a comparable scenario regarding their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Should a resolution fail to materialize, Manchester United may be required to move down to the Conference League due to their lower Premier League finish last season compared to Nice’s fifth-place finish in Ligue 1. However, Ineos has expressed confidence in avoiding this unfavorable outcome.
In a statement, Ineos affirmed, “We are aware of the position of both clubs and are in direct dialogue with Uefa. We are confident we have a route forward for next season in Europe.”
It is noteworthy that Ineos also owns Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport, although the club has not qualified for European competition.
The possibility of Manchester United and Nice being unable to participate in the Europa League next season has garnered attention from football enthusiasts and remains a topic of interest as the situation unfolds. Ultimately, Uefa’s decision, influenced by its established regulations, will determine the course of action for these clubs.
The ongoing discussions and efforts by Ineos to find a feasible solution demonstrate the commitment to securing a favorable outcome for both Manchester United and Nice. The developments in this matter will undoubtedly be closely monitored by football fans and the broader sports community in the coming months.
