Two Manchester teams, Manchester United and Man City, may be banned from participating in the Champions League as the nightmare scenario approaches.
That is information shared in the Mirror newspaper (UK) today, January 30. Man City is the reigning European champion but Pep Guardiola’s team may be prevented from competing in the Champions League next season if they do not win the Premier League.
Accordingly, Man City is likely to be denied a spot in the Champions League next season if Girona can end the season by winning the La Liga championship, and Man City cannot win the Premier League.
Man City has participated in the Champions League for 13 consecutive seasons and has reached the knockout round in 11 consecutive seasons. A Champions League campaign without Man City, at least in the modern era, is unthinkable.
ESPN points out that the model of one owner owning many teams and the regulations of the European Football Federation (UEFA) mean that Man City’s sister club, Girona, can prevent Pep Guardiola’s team from competing. in the Champions League next season if they win the Spanish title and Man City cannot win the Premier League.
According to the current situation, Man City is ranked second on the Premier League rankings, 5 points behind Liverpool, while Girona is once again at the top of the La Liga rankings, 1 point ahead of Real Madrid but has played one more match.
Man City and Girona are two of more than a dozen clubs currently owned by City Football Group (CFG). CFG currently owns 47% of shares in Girona. The connection between Man City and Girona is especially strong, Pep Guardiola’s younger brother Pere Guardiola is currently the president of Girona and he also owns 16% of the club’s shares.
According to current regulations, if two clubs with the same owner qualify for the same UEFA tournament, the team with the highest performance in the domestic tournament will win a place in the Champions League.
If two teams finish in identical positions, for example both Man City and Girona finish second in their national championship, then the club with the higher ranking coefficient will qualify for the Champions League. League. In this case, this would be Manchester City.