Manchester United may not be allowed to participate in the Europa League in the upcoming season if issues related to UEFA's club ownership rules are not resolved. The Telegraph reported on this matter.
According to sources, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his company Ineos have until Monday, June 3rd, to persuade UEFA that both Manchester United and Nice should be allowed to compete in the Europa League next season. Ratcliffe owns 27.7% of Manchester United, where he has full control over football operations, and is also a majority shareholder of the French club Nice after acquiring the club in 2019.
UEFA rules on club ownership prohibit any organization or individual from having "decisive influence" over the management of more than one club in the same competition. If no solution is found, Manchester United will be forced to leave the Europa League and play in the Conference League, as the team is ranked lower in the English Premier League (eighth) than Nice in the French Ligue 1 (fifth).
Earlier reports indicated that Ratcliffe plans to increase the seating capacity of the Old Trafford stadium to 90,000 seats.
