Manchester City may be at risk of missing out on a place in next season’s Champions League if they fail to defend their Premier League title.
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Guardiola's won Treble in 2022-23Behind Liverpool in domestic title raceGirona flying high in La LigaWHAT HAPPENED?
Pep Guardiola’s side, who won a historic Treble in 2022-23, are currently five points adrift of Liverpool in the English top-flight. Time is still on their side when it comes to closing that gap, but missing out on a domestic crown could lead to more than mere frustration at the Etihad Stadium.
Advertisement@GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
City Football Group also own a stake in Spanish side Girona, and they are currently riding high in the Liga table. A surprising title triumph could be on the cards there, and that could confuse matters when it comes to elite European competition. As things stand, UEFA regulations dictate that no teams from the same ownership group can compete against one another.
THE EXPLANATION
If two teams working under a shared ownership umbrella qualify for the same competition, then the one finishing highest in their respective division gets the place. So, if Girona were to win La Liga and City ended as runners-up in the Premier League, then Guardiola’s side would have to drop into the Europa League.
GettyDID YOU KNOW?
There is no suggestion that Girona will be told to ease off if that situation becomes a distinct possibility, with Real Madrid still hot on their heels. There have also been examples of UEFA finding a way around ownership rules, with RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg allowed to compete alongside one another in the Champions League despite being run by the Red Bull Group.