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UEFA's strict ownership rules spark last-minute compliance rush
As the Premier League's European qualification race intensifies, clubs are racing against a 1 March deadline to satisfy UEFA's multi-club ownership (MCO) regulations. Failure to comply could result in demotion or exclusion from continental competitions, as seen last season when Crystal Palace were relegated from the Europa League to the Conference League.
Why the urgency?
UEFA's rules aim to preserve "undisputable" sporting integrity, preventing closely linked clubs from competing in the same tournament. Triggers include a 30% shareholding or decisive influence-such as directors involved in key decisions. If conflicts arise, the lower-ranked club is removed, with priority given to domestic league position and UEFA coefficients.
This year, UEFA's 1 March compliance deadline caught several clubs off guard, leading to frantic legal maneuvers. Everton, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest were among those scrambling to align their ownership structures with the regulations.
The Everton-Roma dilemma
The connection between Everton and Roma, both owned by the Friedkin Group, could become the most contentious case. Everton sit 11th in the Premier League, three points behind sixth place-a Europa League berth. Roma, meanwhile, are level with fifth-placed Como in Serie A, which also grants Europa League qualification.
Dan Friedkin, Everton's chairman and Roma's president, holds significant control in both clubs. Everton must prove Friedkin has no influence over Roma's operations to avoid a conflict. The club insists it has a solution but has not disclosed details, ruling out a blind trust like Nottingham Forest's approach.
Chelsea and Strasbourg: A test for UEFA's policy
Chelsea and Strasbourg, both under the BlueCo umbrella, present another challenge. Eleven players have moved between the clubs this season, and former Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior now works at Stamford Bridge. On 17 February, four BlueCo Alsace board members-including Chelsea's joint-sporting directors-resigned. Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali also stepped down from BlueCo Data Limited.
If both clubs qualify for the same competition, UEFA may bar them from trading players until January 2028. Strasbourg's potential Conference League win could further complicate matters, as UEFA's rules do not address titleholders in MCO scenarios.
Nottingham Forest's blind trust gamble
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis placed the club in a blind trust to avoid conflicts with Olympiakos, his other team. Control was transferred to independent trustees on 28 February, but Companies House only updated records on 17 April. The Premier League's register still lists Marinakis as a director, raising questions about compliance timing.
Forest argue the 28 February transfer suffices, citing past cases like Manchester City and Girona, where blind trusts were accepted. However, UEFA warned it would not automatically approve such arrangements in future seasons.
Brighton and Leeds: Preemptive measures
Brighton owner Tony Bloom holds stakes in Hearts and Union Saint-Gilloise, both potential rivals in European competitions. To avoid conflicts, Bloom reduced his Union Saint-Gilloise share below 30% before the 2023-24 Europa League and limited his Hearts stake to 29%.
Leeds, owned by 49ers Enterprises, took steps to resolve a potential conflict with Rangers, where 49ers Enterprises holds a 51% stake. Two directors, Paraag Marathe and Gene Schneur, resigned from Rangers' board on 27 February to comply with MCO rules.
What's next?
UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) will review each case, with decisions likely before the start of next season's European competitions. Clubs remain tight-lipped about their strategies, but the outcomes could reshape the Premier League's European landscape.
