Revealed: Why Manchester United could be banned from the Europa League as INEOS only have until Monday to make their case for both the Red Devils and Nice to be included in the Europa League next season

Following Manchester United’s FA Cup win over bitter rivals Manchester City, Erik ten Hag’s men qualified for the Europa League despite missing out on a European Premier League final.

However, due to United’s new relationships with INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, they could be relegated to the Europa Conference League or kicked out of Europe all together.

The reason for this is that INEOS, which has a minority stake in the Manchester team, also owns the French team Nice. The Ligue 1 side will also take part in next year’s Europa League after finishing fifth – and therein lies the problem.

UEFA has a multi-club ownership rule in their competitions which could directly affect United.

Manchester United are not the only Manchester side facing this problem, with the blue side of Manchester also in the same pot where their owners have a stake in Spanish side Girona.

After Manchester United’s victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup, they qualified for the Europa League despite finishing eighth in the league.

Manchester United face the possibility of being kicked out of the Europa League, however, due to co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s (above, at Wembley) involvement with French side Nice

Ratcliffe’s INEOS has sole ownership of Nice, who have also qualified for the Europa League

Why Manchester United could be relegated to the Europa Conference League… or worse?

The reason Erik ten Hag’s side could be relegated to the Conference League is that both the Manchester side and French side Nice are both involved with INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

This is a problem for INEOS as UEFA regulations state that clubs under the same owner will not be allowed to compete in the same competition.

The specific UEFA rule that this is in is UEFA’s Multi-Club Ownership (MCO).

UEFA’s MCO rule means owners can only own one club and hold a maximum 30 percent stake in another.

UEFA has introduced the rule of not allowing any entity to have a decisive influence on more than one club in the same tournament, so that the competition maintains its integrity and fairness.

UEFA regulations state that clubs under the same ownership will not be allowed to compete in the same competition

United earned a crucial win over local rivals to secure a place in Europe thanks to goals from two teenagers Mainoo (second right) and Garnacho (far right)

Breakdown of INEOS relationship with United and Nice

Currently, INEOS chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns 27.7% of Manchester United and is also the sole owner of the French side.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group paid more than £1bn for their stake in the club in December, with their stake in the club set to rise by almost 30% after a further injection of £238m.

However, the businessman’s plans to expand his investment in the Manchester outfit could cause INEOS to face major problems in the near future with UEFA.

UEFA’s current MCO regulations stipulate that owners can only own one club and have a maximum 30% stake in another.

If Ratcliffe and INEOS increase their stake in Manchester United – which they are about to do – it would mean one of INEOS’ clubs would be relegated to the Conference League.

According to UEFA regulation article 5.04, it is now said that a club that is substituted in a competition “may be admitted to another UEFA club competition (ie in descending order: UEFA Europa League or UEFA Conference League) to which the relevant national association has access”.

Manchester United would be that club in this case as they finished lower than Nice in their respective leagues.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group paid more than £1bn for their 27.7% stake in Manchester United in December

INEOS Statement on UEFA’s MCO Regulations

INEOS have released a statement on their current situation, saying they are “confident” both Manchester United and Nice will be allowed to participate in the Europa League next season.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group statement said: “We are aware of the position of the two clubs and are in direct dialogue with UEFA.

“We are convinced that we have a solution for next season in Europe.”

INEOS is confident of passing UEFA’s MCO regulations because, as it stands, their stake in Manchester is below the 30% threshold for multi-club ownership rules to come into effect.

Despite Ratcliffe being set to break the 30% mark with plans to increase his investment further, the rules on the issue have been relaxed heading into the new season.

INEOS released a statement regarding their current situation, saying: “We are confident we have a solution for next season in Europe”

UEFA deadline

Manchester United are not the only Premier League side facing a problem in Europe next season.

And their neighbors Manchester City face the same problem in the Champions League.

Manchester City’s Abu Dhabi investors have severely tested UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership as the Abu Dhabi-based operation has stakes in 13 clubs around the world, including sole ownership of Manchester City and a 47% stake in Spanish Girona.

Manchester City also face the same problem as their Abu Dhabi investors also have a 47% stake in Girona, who will also be competing in the Champions League next season.

According to The Telegraph , Manchester United have until Monday, June 3, to plead their case to UEFA that their two teams can compete simultaneously in the same tournament next season.

Given the extremely tight deadline, UEFA is offering clubs a possible solution to the sale of shares that is needed.

UEFA will accept “the transfer or assignment of all its shares in a club to an independent third party”, such as a blind trust. This trust will act solely in the interest of the club.