Man United's participation in European competitions was in doubt due to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ownership of Ligue 1 side Nice.

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• Ratcliffe took 27.7% stake in United
• Was already owner of Nice
• UEFA finally deliver verdict

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Red Devils will be allowed to compete in the Europa League next season – and future European competitions – after UEFA wrapped up their investigation into Ratcliffe's dual ownership. The INEOS founder was already involved with Nice when he acquired a stake in United earlier this year.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  There were concerns that United might not be permitted to play in the Europa League due to Nice's presence in the tournament next season. UEFA's rules about multi-club ownership state that if only one club is allowed to enter European club competitions, it's the one that finished higher in their domestic league; Nice finished fifth in Ligue 1 while United came eighth in the Premier League.

  However, UEFA determined that there had been changes in Nice's ownership structure that restricted Ratcliffe's influence at the French club.

• WHAT UEFA SAID

  European football's governing body determined that they had made "significant changes… to the ownership, governance, and financial support of the concerned clubs, substantially restrict the investors’ influence and decision-making power over more than one club," per the Independent.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?

  Before the Red Devils can think about the Europa League, INEOS and the club's restructured recruitment team are busy plotting the comings and goings in the transfer window. The club are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, and he's not the only player they're chasing.

Tags: Futebol
Category: News