The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has advised the owners of Manchester City to consider selling a portion of their Girona stake to ensure both clubs can participate in Europe’s premier competition next season. The move follows reporting by a major publication. [Times]
City Football Group controls all of Manchester City and holds a stake of 47 percent in Girona. Both clubs are currently guaranteed a spot in the upcoming Champions League, but UEFA’s rulebook for the next cycle requires a reduction in multi-club ownership to below 30 percent in order to avoid conflicts of interest across European competitions. If such reductions are not achieved, Girona could be relegated to the Europa League by missing the Champions League entry criteria in a subsequent season. [Times]
UEFA’s guidelines on multiple club ownership for the forthcoming cycle’s European contests were distributed to clubs earlier this week. The intent is to preserve competitive integrity and ensure independent decision-making within each club involved in cross-ownership arrangements. [Times]
Manchester City remains atop the English Premier League standings with one matchday left, while Pep Guardiola’s squad, the defending Champions League winners, faces the challenge of continuing their title defense under the new ownership and competition frameworks. In Spain, Girona sits in third place as Real Madrid secured the domestic title ahead of schedule, highlighting the tight margins that often shape European qualification races. [Times]
The broader implications for star players and squad planning are under review as owners navigate the evolving landscape of European football governance, with ongoing discussions about how cross-ownership interacts with long-term club strategy and financial fair play. [Times]