- Girona are currently flying high in LaLiga and are 11 points ahead of fifth place
- The Catalan club could be denied access to the Champions League next season
- Chelsea are a mess and it’s hard to find the answers… but they need to keep the faith and stay patient. It’s all Kicking Off podcast
Manchester City may be forced to sell its stake in Spanish side Girona if both clubs qualify for the Champions League next season.
The Catalan team have been a revelation and sit second in LaLiga, just two points off first place and eleven points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
Girona, who joined City Football Group in 2017 after purchasing a 44 percent stake in the club, were only promoted to the top 18 months ago and finished mid-table last season.
However, without documentation detailing, among other things, the separation of governance, financing and personnel of the entities, UEFA rules prohibit the ownership of more than one football club playing in the same competition.
As a result, according to The meCity could be forced to reduce or even sell outright its ownership stake in Girona, which has since risen to 47 percent.
Girona could be denied a place in the Champions League despite being the surprise package in LaLiga this season, with them looking set to secure a place in the top four
Pep Guardiola’s side moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool with a game in hand after their 3-1 win over Brentford on Monday evening
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Should no agreement be reached on the changes, only the highest-placed team in their respective league will be allowed to play in the Champions League next season. If both clubs finish in the same position, the team playing in the country on UEFA’s ‘access list’ qualifies. In this scenario, Pep Guardiola’s side would gain access.
The CFG clubs could also face restrictions on player trading and off-field cooperation, including scouting networks, recruitment and commercial arrangements.
The report claims that Europe’s top governing body is monitoring the situation and that its Club Financial Control Body will most likely review the links in June if a conflict is confirmed.
City’s relationship with the other 12 clubs under the CFG umbrella has come into sharp focus as they close in on 19-year-old winger Savio, who set LaLiga on fire with Girona against Real Madrid for the title.
Brazilian winger Savio has set La Liga on fire as he battles for the title against Real Madrid in Girona
The Brazilian is on loan from Troyes in France, another CFG club. Talks between City and Troyes are well advanced, with Txiki Begiristain attending a recent match in Girona to check on the youngster’s progress.
Details of the finances involved in the deal have yet to be revealed and it is likely the move to multiple clubs will be the topic of conversation in rival Premier League boardrooms.
Savio’s breakthrough season has seen him score five goals and seven assists in the league so far.