According to ESPN sources, Girona’s anticipated debut in the Champions League next season will be postponed as Manchester City, their affiliated club, has already clinched a spot in the 2024-25 tournament.
Girona achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their 94-year history, following a remarkable 4-2 victory over Barcelona, securing their position in the top four of their league this season.
However, complications have arisen due to Girona’s affiliation with the City Football Group (CFG), which includes 13 clubs. Per UEFA club game regulations, ownership of multiple clubs by one entity is restricted.
Forty-seven percent of Girona is owned by Four Seven Groups, with another 35% owned by Marcelo Claure, a Bolivian-American businessman who also heads another CFG team. Pere Guardiola, brother of City’s manager Pep Guardiola, serves as Girona’s boss.
UEFA rules stipulate that if two clubs under the same ownership qualify for the same UEFA competition, the spot is awarded to the club that secures the local title. In the event of both clubs finishing in the same position, the club with the higher club coefficient gains qualification.
Manchester City, having won the Champions League in 2023, only requires two points to secure second place in the Premier League.
Should they win their remaining matches, they will claim their fourth consecutive league title. Consequently, City will utilize the CFG spot in the Champions League, displacing Girona.
Sources indicate that Girona is unlikely to be relegated to the Europa League to avoid facing Manchester City.
However, the club must justify its autonomy and independence from Manchester City at a UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) meeting this summer before being permitted to participate in the Champions League.
Recent precedents, such as RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg, both owned by the Red Bull Group, coexisting in the Champions League, suggest that shared ownership concerns can be addressed.
Additionally, UEFA allowed several teams entry into its tournaments last year despite shared ownership concerns.
Furthermore, clubs such as Aston Villa and Vitoria, Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise, and AC Milan and Toulouse were permitted to participate in UEFA events following CFCB hearings.
In the event that Manchester United and Nice, both associated with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group, qualify for European competitions, they will also be subject to CFCB hearings.
Currently, Nice is positioned fifth in Ligue 1, potentially earning a spot in the Europa League, while Manchester United could still qualify for European football through various avenues.
