Manchester City could be kicked out of Champions League thanks tilo Arsenal Liverpool

Manchester City could be kicked out of Champions League thanks tilo Arsenal Liverpool

Manchester City are being forced to consider the prospect of being kicked out of the Champions League.

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Manchester City v Everton FC – Premier League

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City could be kicked out of the Champions League. (Image: Getty)

 

Manchester City continue their defence of the Champions League tonight in their last 16 tie with Copenhagen, but worries will remain inside the club over the prospect of being banned from the competition next year as a result of Girona’s success in La Liga.

 

Girona have been this year’s surprise package in Spain, storming to a title challenge before their 4-0 defeat at Real Madrid on Saturday left them five points behind Carlo Ancelotti’s leaders. They do remain five points clear of third-placed Barcelona, however.

 

City Football Group purchased a 44.3 per cent stake in Girona in 2017, which has since been increased to 47 per cent. UEFA rules do not permit two clubs owned by the same body to compete in the same European competition, casting doubt on both teams’ involvement next year.

 

 

They are on course to qualify for the Champions League and current regulations state that only the highest-placed team in the respective divisions will be allowed to compete. Girona are on course to finish second and while Pep Guardiola’s side are second in the Premier League, only two points separate the top three and if Arsenal and Liverpool claim the top two spots, then City could be banished from the Champions League.

 

Girona FC v Real Sociedad – LaLiga EA Sports

Savio is set to be moved from Girona to Manchester City next season. (Image: Getty)

The i claim that UEFA are monitoring the links between City and Girona, who recently confirmed that they would be moving 19-year-old winger Savio from Spain to Manchester after a stellar season under head coach Michel.

 

City could be forced to reduce their stake in Girona if both qualify for the Champions League, similarly to Aston Villa and Brighton after reaching the same European competition as sister teams Vitoria de Guimaraes and Royale Union Saint-Gilloise respectively. Manchester United could face a similar threat once Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 25 per cent purchase is ratified, as the Brit also owns Ligue 1 side Nice.

 

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FC Internazionale v Manchester City FC – UEFA Champions League Final 2022/23

Manchester City may be kicked out of the Champions League by finishing below Arsenal and Liverpool. (Image: Getty)

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body will assess the link between City and Girona in the summer if a conflict is confirmed, though without big changes made behind the scenes then both club’s involvement in the Champions League is in doubt.

 

 

UEFA’s competition rules state an individual or group cannot have “control or influence” over more than one club playing in the same tournament. If an investigation concludes that individuals within the City Football Group share control over both clubs and are unable to make the necessary changes to their business structure, only the team that finishes higher in their domestic league will be granted permission to play in the Champions League.

 

The other team will drop into the Europa League. Should Girona and City finish in the same league position, the team with the higher coefficient would be given the nod, which would be City after winning the Champions League last year.

 

 

FC Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup says he doesn’t need advice on how to close down Manchester City star Erling Haaland.

 

FCK host the first-leg tonight of their Champions League round 16 tie.

 

Neestrup was asked whether he has consulted with his Norwegian players Mohammed Elyounoussi and Birger Meling about how to stop Haaland.

 

“I don’t have that, because Elyounoussi just has to concentrate on scoring goals, and Birger Meling hasn’t played a football match for three months,” he responded.

 

“I am the head coach and I am the one who decides. I took it myself. I also watch football and I have a staff, so I haven’t asked them about that.”

 

Neestrup was also asked how to stop Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, now they’re together again.

 

“There is no conclusion on that. Because no matter how skilled you are, you will never, ever be able to shut down the two over time.

 

“But for us it’s about making the rooms as small for them as possible and knowing their characteristics – both De Bruyne and Haaland.

 

“If we shut down those two, then there are about seven or eight other players, we have to remember to shut down afterwards too. They are two really, really good players, but there are also a handful of others at an absolutely top level.”