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Premier League giants have been BANNED from the Champions League! This is such a harsh punishment! 😱

The City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City, is aiming far beyond the management of a single team.

 

Since 2013, CFG has built a global network of clubs, now managing 12 teams across men’s, women’s, and youth football in 12 different countries, excluding Africa.

 

The goal of this expansion is to broaden their influence in the football world, with clubs such as New York City FC, Melbourne City, and Mumbai City FC being part of their network.

 

Most CFG clubs do not face significant regulatory issues with UEFA, except for Article 5 of the Champions League regulations.

 

This rule prohibits clubs from participating in UEFA competitions if they have financial or management ties with other clubs in the same competitions to prevent conflicts of interest.

 

CFG’s European clubs like Palermo, Troyes, and Lommel, which compete in second-tier leagues, generally do not face immediate concerns.

 

However, the situation is different for Girona FC in Spain. After acquiring a 47% stake in 2017, Girona is now leading La Liga following their promotion in 2022.

 

This success could lead to their qualification for the Champions League, potentially conflicting with UEFA rules due to shared ownership with Manchester City.

 

If both Manchester City and Girona qualify for the Champions League, UEFA rules give priority to the club finishing higher in their domestic league.

 

Considering Manchester City’s recent struggles and Girona’s strong performance, this could become a major issue.

 

UEFA must address this potential conflict resulting from CFG’s expansion and Girona’s unexpected success.

 

The governing body needs to balance fair competition principles with the realities of multi-club ownership.

 

This issue is not unique to CFG; Manchester United may face similar challenges with potential part-ownership by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, which also owns OGC Nice.

 

INEOS has reportedly consulted UEFA and received assurances that no major issues would arise, indicating UEFA’s awareness and the need for adaptable regulations.

 

The rise in multi-club ownership means UEFA may need to reassess and revise its rules to ensure clubs are not unfairly excluded from European competitions, despite operating independently.

 

Girona’s success highlights both the potential and challenges of CFG’s multi-club ownership model.

 

As Girona enjoys its best season yet, CFG’s strategy faces a significant test, pushing UEFA to find solutions that uphold competition integrity while accommodating the evolving landscape of football ownership.

 

UEFA’s approach to resolving these issues will be crucial in shaping the future of club football in Europe, ensuring fair rewards for on-field success regardless of ownership complexities.

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