Exclusive: Ineos 'confident' Manchester United will be allowed to compete in Europa League after FA Cup win

Manchester United and OCG Nice have qualified for the Europa LeagueManchester United and OCG Nice have qualified for the Europa League
Manchester United and OCG Nice have qualified for the Europa League | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United qualified for the Europa League with FA Cup victory over Man City.

Ineos are 'confident' both Manchester United and OCG Nice will be allowed to participate in European competition next season after both clubs qualified for the Europa League.

Nice secured a place in the revamped second-tier continental club competition by finishing fifth in Ligue 1, while United qualified for the competition by defeating Man City in the FA Cup final over the weekend.

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Under current Uefa 'multi-club ownership' rules, two clubs that share the same owners are prevented from both participating in the same competition. The Ineos Group currently owns 27% of United, but planned further investment would take their ownership stake above the 30% threshold for multi-club ownership rules to apply.

The team that finished in the higher league position would usually be granted entry, while the other would be banned from participating and could be relegated to the Conference League instead

When quizzed on the matter, a statement from Ineos said: “We are aware of the position of both clubs and are in direct dialogue with UEFA. We are confident that we have a route forward for next season in Europe.”

ManchesterWorld understand a possible workaround for the situation would be if United and Nice provide evidence to the parent body that they do not share any joint management across both clubs. Despite having the same owners, they could potentially get around the issue if they can argue that they are separate entities who do not share any technical personnel in common.

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Under current Uefa regulations no club participating in a club competition may, either directly or indirectly: hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition; be a member of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition; be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition; or have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a Uefa club competition.

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