Why Man Utd may be banned from playing in Europa League next season

By Miracle Ogunde

Despite winning the English FA cup and sealing qualification to play in Europe next season, Manchester United football club of England may be banned from playing in Europa League.

After defeating EPL title winners, Manchester City by 2-1 win at Wembley, to seal their qualification to play in Europa League next season alongside Tottenham Hotspur, the Red Devils could be disqualified from the competition due to INEOS’ ownership of French club Nice.

UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules prohibit two teams owned by the same organisation competing in the same tournament.

Manchester United owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, has a 27% stake in United, but is planning to invest a further £245m, which would take their ownership stake in the club to more than 30%, which is above the threshold for UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules while being the sole owners of Ligue 1 side Nice.

Nice finished fifth in the French top-flight to secure a place in next season’s Europa League.

Should INEOS fail to resolve the issue, one of their clubs could be relegated to the UEFA Conference League.

Nice would maintain their Europa League status, because of their higher league finish of fifth, compared to United’s eighth-placed finish.