Since 2013, the City Football Group (CFG), owners of Manchester City, have extended their ambitions far beyond managing a single football team, developing a comprehensive global multi-club network. This network now spans 12 clubs in 12 different countries worldwide, excluding Africa, and encompasses men’s, women’s, and youth football teams. This significant expansion reflects CFG’s strategy to exert wide-reaching influence in the football world, with notable clubs such as New York City FC, Melbourne City, and Mumbai City FC among their portfolio.
Most of CFG’s clubs do not encounter regulatory challenges with UEFA, except for Article 5 of the Champions League guidelines. This particular rule is designed to prevent clubs with financial or managerial connections from competing in the same UEFA competitions to avoid conflicts of interest. While CFG’s European clubs, including Palermo, Troyes, and Lommel, primarily compete in second-tier leagues and are not immediately concerned with this regulation, Girona FC in Spain presents a different scenario. CFG acquired a 47% stake in Girona in 2017, and since their promotion to La Liga in 2022, Girona has been performing remarkably well, currently leading the league. This success opens the possibility of Girona qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, potentially clashing with UEFA regulations due to their shared ownership with Manchester City.
If both Manchester City and Girona qualify for the Champions League, UEFA rules stipulate that the club finishing higher in their domestic league would take precedence. Given Manchester City’s recent struggles and Girona’s impressive performance, this situation could become a significant issue. UEFA is thus faced with the challenge of addressing potential regulatory conflicts arising from CFG’s extensive expansion and Girona’s unexpected success. The governing body must balance maintaining fair competition principles with the realities and complexities of multi-club ownership models.
This dilemma is not exclusive to CFG. For instance, Manchester United could encounter similar issues if Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, which owns OGC Nice, acquires part-ownership of the club. INEOS has reportedly sought UEFA’s guidance and received reassurances that no substantial issues would arise, indicating UEFA’s awareness and the necessity for adaptable regulations. The increasing prevalence of multi-club ownership demands that UEFA reassesses and possibly revises its rules to ensure that clubs are not unfairly excluded from European competitions despite operating independently.
Girona’s current success story illustrates both the potential and challenges of CFG’s multi-club ownership model. As Girona enjoys its best-ever season, CFG’s strategic approach is put to the test, compelling UEFA to find solutions that preserve the integrity of competition while accommodating the evolving landscape of football ownership. UEFA’s response to these issues will be crucial in shaping the future of European club football, ensuring that clubs are fairly rewarded for their on-pitch successes irrespective of complex ownership structures.