Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, UEFA, Europa League, Nice
Josh Lawless
UEFA have made a decision whether Manchester United and Nice can compete in the Europa League next season.
Though they purchased a 27.7% stake in United back in February, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS also own Ligue One side Nice.
But complications arose as both sides qualified for the same European competition and UEFA rules would bring a conflict of interests.
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However, as per Rob Harris from Sky, UEFA have provided a key update on the situation.
As announced on Friday, both sides will both be able to participate in UEFA's secondary European club competition as a result of "the implementation of significant changes by the concerned investors”.
These alterations are believed to show that there is not the same level of “control or decisive influence” over both teams.
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The same stance applies to Manchester City and their sister club Girona, who are both part of the City Football Group.
A stunning 2023/24 season saw Girona finish third in La Liga and secure qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
City secured passage yet again and it's been reported by The Times
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that the CFG's ownership of Girona has been reduced to 30 per cent to comply with UEFA regulations.
The remaining shares have been placed into a "blind trust’" which must be operated independently.
In addition, it's been confirmed that three Girona board members have stepped down and replaced by an incoming trio instead.
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INEOS and CFG have also been instructed they cannot directly transfer or loan players starting from July 2024 until the September 2025.
However, this does not included pre-arranged transfers and means winger Savio, who spent last season on loan at Girona from Troyes, is still set to move to City in the summer.
For United, however, a mooted move for Nice defender Jean-Claire Todibo has effectively been ruled out with the news.