UEFA have strict rule Man Utd and Spurs MUST follow no matter who wins the Europa League

UEFA have a strict rule which Manchester United and Spurs will have to adhere to if they won the Europa League.

Despite dismal domestic campaigns which sees them occupy 16th and 17th in the Premier League, the two sides play out the all-English final in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

The winner will secure qualification into the Champions League next season, with England poised to have six representatives in its premier club competition.

United are hoping to replicate their triumph from 2017 under Jose Mourinho when they beat Ajax in the final, while Spurs are desperate to finally win a first trophy since 2008.

The silverware in question is the heaviest of all the UEFA prizes at 15kg and has specific regulations from the European football governing body that the winners will to have to follow.

According to UEFA, the original trophy from the presentation which will took place at the San Mames Stadium, "remains in UEFA’s keeping and ownership at all times".

A replica of the very same size will be awarded to the winners, along with 50 gold medals.

The Europa League trophy has been on display at the Fan Festival in Bilbao. Image: Getty

However, neither Spurs or United will be allowed to leave England with the trophy for any activities without receiving permission from UEFA - nor must they link any sponsors and commercial.

UEFA's website states that, “replica trophies awarded to winners of the competition (past and current) must remain within the relevant club’s control at all times and may not leave the club’s country without UEFA’s prior written consent (in this respect, clubs must comply with any request from the UEFA administration to confirm the location of the club’s replica trophies).

“Clubs must not permit a replica trophy to be used in any context where a third party (including sponsors and other commercial partners) is granted visibility or in any other way that could lead to an association between any third party and the trophy and/or the competition."

How much will Man United or Spurs bank for winning the Europa League?

United and Spurs are reported to have made around £26 million for how they performed in the league phase and getting to the final but victory in the showpiece and subsequent qualification for the Champions League's league phase, could be worth as much as £54 million, as per the BBC.

The winner is guaranteed £21 million but only £5 million of that fee is for becoming champions - with passage to the holy grail of the Champions League bringing the most money into the club.