Because of Arsenal and Liverpool, Man City might be “kicked out of the Champions League.”
Manchester City’s Champions League defense will continue tonight when they play Copenhagen in the round of 16. However, the club will continue to be concerned about the possibility of being barred from the competition the following year because to Girona’s La Liga triumph.
Girona was the surprise package in Spain this year, racing to a title contender before falling to Real Madrid 4-0 on Saturday, which dropped them to five points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s team. But they are still five points ahead of Barcelona, who is in third position.
In 2017, Girona was acquired by City Football Group for $44.3%; this amount has since been raised to 47%. Two clubs controlled by the same organization are not allowed to participate in the same European competition under UEFA rules, which raises questions over both teams’ participation in 2019–20.
According to current rules, only the top-seeded team in each league will be permitted to compete, and they are on track to qualify for the Champions League. While Pep Guardiola’s team is currently second in the Premier League, Girona is expected to finish second.
With two points separating the top three, City may be eliminated from the Champions League if Arsenal and Liverpool take the first two slots.
The assertion that Girona, who just announced that they would be bringing 19-year-old winger Savio from Spain to Manchester following an outstanding season under head coach Michel, is being watched by UEFA.
City may have to sell their Girona shares if both teams go to the Champions League, just like Brighton and Aston Villa did when they advanced to the same European tournament as their sister teams, Royale Union Saint-Gilloise and Vitoria de Guimaraes. After Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25% acquisition is approved. Manchester United may be in for a similar threat because the British man already controls Nice in Ligue 1.
If a conflict is verified, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body will evaluate the relationship between City and Girona in the summer. However, both clubs’ participation in the Champions League is in jeopardy if significant adjustments are not made behind the scenes.
An individual or organization cannot have “control or influence” over more than one club participating in the same event, according to UEFA competition rules. The team that places higher in its home league will be the only one allowed to play in the Champions League if an investigation finds that certain individuals within the City Football Group control both clubs and are unable to alter their business structure.
The opposing squad will be relegated to the Europa League. In the event that Girona and City finish in the same league place, the side with the better coefficient—City, who won the Champions League the previous season—would be chosen.
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