Summary
As well as a substantial stake in Manchester United, INEOS owns the French club Nice.
Next season’s Europa League qualification was achieved by both Nice and United.
One of the clubs may be relegated to the Europa Conference League as a result of UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
Following Manchester United’s triumph in the FA Cup final, INEOS may be faced with a challenging decision.
United qualified for the Europa League with a 2-1 victory over their rivals City at Wembley.
They had previously been unable to qualify for Europe through their final Premier League position after finishing eighth.
Nice, a French club, is also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s corporation.
Nice qualified for the Europa League by finishing fifth in Ligue 1.
Unless specific conditions are satisfied, two clubs with the same proprietors are prohibited from competing in the same competition under UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
United is currently owned by INEOS at a 27% stake.
However, additional proposed investments would elevate their ownership of the club to a level that exceeds the 30% threshold required by UEFA for multi-club ownership regulations to be enforced.
Nice is entirely owned by INEOS, which acquired the club in 2019.
How INEOS Could Address the Issue
A feasible alternative
INEOS would be required to prove that it does not share any joint management across both clubs in order for both United and Nice to compete in the Europa League next season, if it does increase its stake in United to above 30%.
In the event that INEOS is unable to demonstrate this, one of the two clubs may be compelled to relegate to the UEFA Conference League for the 2024-25 season.
Nice would typically be given precedence due to their superior league standing, according to a report by L’Equipe (as reported by Get Football News France).
However, United would likely be the preferred team in this scenario.
According to a statement from INEOS, the company is optimistic that the issue will be resolved.
According to Manchester World, it stated:
“We are in direct communication with UEFA and are cognizant of the positions of both clubs.”
We are certain that we have a plan for the upcoming season in Europe.
Ten Hag Decision and United’s Current Position End-of-season evaluation underway
In the interim, United reportedly initiated their end-of-season review on Monday, and the results of the review will partially determine the destiny of manager Erik ten Hag.
On the eve of the FA Cup final, it was reported that Ten Hag would be terminated following the final, irrespective of the outcome of the match against City.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman remains in his current position after two days, and a substantial number of United supporters are eager for him to remain in his position.
United experienced their lowest-ever Premier League finish and early departures in the Champions League and the League Cup, as they underperformed in three of the four competitions they entered at the start of the season.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag has been confronted with a plethora of ailments, particularly in the defense, throughout the campaign, in addition to the distraction of INEOS’s protracted takeover.
In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag expressed his confidence, stating to reporters, “Two trophies in two years is not bad.”
Three finals in two years is not an insignificant accomplishment. I am dissatisfied with it.
It is imperative that we improve.
I will seek out other opportunities to earn trophies if they do not accept me, as this is my nature.