Nice and Manchester United will be able play in the Europa League next season according to INEOS. INEOS is optimistic that both teams will be permitted to participate in the Europa League the following season.
Manchester United did not qualify for Europe based only on league positions , they finished eighth in the Premier League. Though, the FA Cup victory on Saturday guaranteed Erik ten Hag’s team a spot.
Manchester United’s entry into the Europa League which is Europe’s second best club competition, is contingent upon winning the FA Cup, the oldest cup competition in England.
With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leading them to the final in 2021 and Jose Mourinho winning it in 2017, the Reds have a history with the Europa League. There were worries all season long that if Nice also qualified Manchester United might not be allowed to participate in the Europa League.
UEFA regulations prohibit clubs with the same owners from competing in the same UEFA competition. Sir Jim Ratcliffe owner of INEOS purchased Nice in 2019. If Nice finished higher in league 1, they would qualify for the Europa League. In this case United might have to play in the third-tier UEFA Conference League.
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That being said since Ratcliffe’s investment, Manchester United has been in discussions with UEFA representatives and has been given confidence that this problem could be rectified. “We are in direct dialogue with UEFA and we are aware of the position of the two clubs”, INEOS stated in a statement.
“We firmly believe we have a solution for Europa League in the upcoming season”. Ratcliffe currently holds 27. 7% of Manchester United but his intended additional investment would raise his ownership above the 30% mark breaking multi-club ownership regulations.
“Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations will be adhered to” as the club has repeatedly stated.
Their transfer activities would have been significantly hampered by the lack of European revenue.
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In conclusion, despite initial concerns that Manchester United might not be allowed to participate in the Europa League because of their joint ownership with Nice, new information and UEFA guarantees indicate that both teams will be allowed to play in the competition the following season.
Manchester United’s FA Cup triumph has guaranteed them a spot in the Europa League and given them a much-needed financial boost allowing them to carry on with business as usual under FFP regulations.
