UEFA have informed Manchester United that they have until Monday, to find a resolution that will allow them play in the Europa League next season, according to the UK Telegraph.
This is because Man United’s co-owner, Sir Jam Ratcliffe, also owns French Ligue 1 club Nice who qualified for the same competition.
The Red Devils qualified, thanks to winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City, despite finishing in eighth position in the Premier League.
Ratcliffe’s ownership of two other teams – Nice and Swiss club Lausanne – puts him in contravention of UEFA’s rules.
European football’s governing body states that the same owner or entity is not permitted to have “decisive influence” across two or more clubs competing in the same competition.
Nice finished fifth place in Ligue 1 this season and because they finished higher in their league than Man United, it is the Red Devils who could be forced to drop into the Europa Conference League, unless a solution is found before next season.
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