Manchester United’s participation in next season’s Europa League is under serious threat, despite their recent FA Cup triumph over rivals Manchester City.
The 2-1 victory at Wembley over the weekend secured a spot in the European tournament for Erik Ten Hag’s team.
UEFA have already informed Manchester United that they have until Monday to find a resolution that will allow them play in the Europa League next season, the UK Telegraph reports.
UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules prohibit two teams owned by the same organisation from competing in the same tournament.
This is because United’s co-owner, Sir Jam Ratcliffe, also owns a club in France who qualified for the same competition.
Ratcliffe’s ownership of two other teams – French side Nice and Swiss club Lausanne – puts him in contravention of UEFA’s rules.
European football’s governing body states that the same owner or entity is not permitted to have “decisive influence” across two or more clubs competing in the same competition.
Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 this season and because they finished higher in their league than United, it is the Red Devils who could be forced to drop into the Europa Conference League, unless a solution is found.
