- Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group is expected to take a 25 percent stake soon
- However, it could have major knock-on effects for the Red Devils in Europe
- One referee had metal plates after a broken jaw and feared being followed home IAKO
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment in Manchester United could see the club expelled from Europe next season, according to reports.
The British billionaire is waiting to formalize a £1.3 billion deal with the Glazer family for a 25 percent stake in the Premier League club.
Many United fans are hoping that Ratcliffe’s impending arrival will mark a turnaround in the club’s fortunes, especially given the expected overhaul of the club’s hierarchy.
However, one aspect that some United fans have overlooked is how their European prospects could take a hit following Ratcliffe’s investment in the club.
This is because Ratcliffe and Ineos Group also own French side Nice, who are currently second in Ligue 1 and just one point behind leaders PSG.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s investment at Manchester United could see the club expelled from Europe next season, according to reports
The British billionaire is awaiting confirmation of his £1.3 billion minority stake in Manchester United
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While Ratcliffe may have been excited by the potential prospect of both his teams competing in the Champions League, his dreams have quickly been shattered.
According to UEFA, this has to do with the ‘rules for multi-club ownership’ The sunwhich states that if both teams finish in a Champions League spot, the team that finishes higher of the two will get the place while the other will be excluded from Europe.
Furthermore, the only way United and Nice can both play in Europe next season is if one automatically clinch a Champions League spot and the other qualifies directly for the Europa Conference League.
In the event that the two teams finish in the same positions in their respective competitions, England’s ranking at the top of UEFA’s ‘entry list’ would see United get the nod for Europe’s premier competition.
United are currently sixth in the Premier League and will qualify directly for the Conference League if the winner of this year’s League Cup already qualifies for Europe via a league position.
A source close to UEFA confirmed this The sun: ‘As the rules currently stand, it is a clear situation. Ineos owns Nice and will play an important role in United’s management.
‘Unless the regulations are changed, or Ineos sells one of their shares, they cannot both play in European competitions, unless one plays in the Champions League and the other in the Conference League.’
UEFA’s rules could also affect United’s rivals Man City, whose owners also have a stake in Spanish side Girona, who currently lead the Spanish top flight.
UEFA’s ‘multi-club ownership rules’ could see Nice play ahead of Man United in Europe
Erik ten Hag’s team could play a season without European football in the 2024/2025 season
This was announced on Tuesday Ratcliffe may have to wait until next week before he gets his 25 percent minority stake Manchester United confirmed by the club.
There were growing expectations that his deal would finally be approved and confirmed by United during the November international break.
But the Telegraph are now reporting that Ratcliffe, who reportedly named Thanksgiving – which is November 23 – as the end date, will now only receive confirmation next week.
Once Ratcliffe receives confirmation from United, he will have to wait six to eight weeks for Premier League ratification. Only then will he be able to continue at United and make changes as he sees fit.