UEFA source 'confirms' Man Utd could be 'banned' from Champions League next season

Manchester United face a possible ban from the Champions League once Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his minority stake purchase.

Ratcliffe is set to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Man United for £1.3 billion.

The Glazers are closing in on an agreement, with the British billionaire fending off competition from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim.

Once the deal crosses the line, the 71-year-old will add another football club to his portfolio as his Ineos group already own Nice, with Victor Lindelof sharing his thoughts on the proposed overhaul.

The French club are second in Ligue 1, one point behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

Ahead of next season's Champions League, clubs in France's top flight are set to awarded three automatic spots and one play-off place, with the top five teams in the Premier League going straight into the Europe's premier competition.

But under UEFA's 'multi-club ownership' rules, the only way Man United and Nice can both play in the Champions League next season is if one seals an automatic spot and the other qualifies directly for the Conference League, according to The Sun.

However, if both clubs secure spots in the automatic Champions League spots in their respective leagues, the team that finishes higher of the two gets the place while the other will be banned from Europe.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe in attendance for a Nice game. Image: Getty

In the scenario both clubs finish in the same position, England's ranking at the top of UEFA's 'access list' means Man United will gain entry to the Champions League.

A UEFA source confirmed: "As the rules stand, it’s a clear situation. Ineos own Nice and are set to have a significant role in running United.

"Unless the regulations are changed, or Ineos sell one of their stakes, they cannot both play in European competitions, unless one is in the Champions league and the other in the Conference League."

Erik ten Hag's side are currently outside of the European spots as they occupy sixth place, with 21 points on the board.

Will Man United qualify for the Champions League? Let us know what you think.

Topics: Manchester United, Football

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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