The potential negative impact of Girona winning LaLiga on Manchester City
This content highlights the potential impact of clubs with shared ownership competing in the same competitions, as is the case with Girona and Manchester City. It raises concerns over the possibility of undue influence and the need for transparency and regulations to prevent owners from manipulating the outcome of competitions for their own benefit. The article also discusses similar situations with other club ownership groups and emphasizes the need for UEFA to address these issues and potentially revise regulations governing multi-club ownership. The piece provides valuable insight into a complex and controversial topic in the world of football.
Imagine the scenario. Girona is on the verge of securing victory in LaLiga, poised to achieve a remarkable football feat just two years after rising from the Segunda Division. Meanwhile, Manchester City’s pursuit of the Premier League title has wavered, with only a second-place finish within reach. While this may seem inconsequential, not even Pep Guardiola’s dominant City team can be champions every year.
This hypothetical situation could very well become a reality this season, as Girona leads LaLiga and City trails by five points in the Premier League. Consequently, the potential implications of such a scenario have brought the issue of multi-club ownership to the forefront of football discussions, prompting UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin to stress the necessity of stringent regulations surrounding club ownership.
Transparency and preventing the possibility of undue influence from owners with control over multiple clubs are central to this issue. UEFA would consider it a nightmare if Girona were influenced to not win LaLiga in order to guarantee City’s place in the following season’s Champions League.
According to UEFA regulations, no two teams within the same ownership group can compete against each other. Should two clubs from the same ownership group qualify for the same UEFA competition, the side that finishes highest in its domestic championship will be awarded the place. These regulations make Girona’s potential LaLiga triumph a concern for Manchester City, and UEFA may have to address this situation in the future.
The close ties between City and Girona are undeniable, given CFG’s acquisition of a significant stake in Girona and the various player transfers and personnel exchanges between the clubs. These issues are not confined to City and Girona; similar concerns also exist surrounding Manchester United and Nice due to multi-club ownership. UEFA has navigated such complex situations in the past, and it is expected that they will have to address these issues in the coming months, particularly if both Girona and City secure Champions League qualification. These potential events may be the impetus for significant changes in the regulations governing multi-club ownership.
