Ineos, the company led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is “confident” about resolving the potential conflict that might prevent Manchester United and Nice from competing in the next season’s Europa League. This situation arises due to UEFA rules that restrict the influence any single organization can have over multiple clubs in the same competition.
Ineos holds a 27.7% stake in Manchester United and manages the club’s football operations. Additionally, they took over the French club Nice in 2019. UEFA regulations necessitate an independent panel to rule on such matters to ensure compliance with competition rules. This decision is expected before the Europa League qualifying rounds start in mid-July.
If no solution is found, Manchester United might have to play in the Europa Conference League, as they finished lower in the Premier League compared to Nice’s fifth-place finish in Ligue 1. However, Ineos remains optimistic that this scenario will be avoided.
🚨🇾🇪 INEOS on #MUFC & Nice playing Europa League Football: “We are aware of the position of the two clubs and we are in direct dialogue with UEFA. We are convinced that we have a solution for next season in Europe.” ✅ pic.twitter.com/PAfe1YivXu
— ManUtdMania (@ManUtdMania_) May 27, 2024
“We are aware of the position of both clubs and are in direct dialogue with UEFA,” an Ineos spokesperson said. “We are confident we have a route forward for next season in Europe.”
Ineos also owns the Swiss Super League club FC Lausanne-Sport, although they have not qualified for European competition, thus not being part of the current issue.