Even if Manchester City wins the Premier League, they might not qualify for the Champions League the following season.
After a strong start to the 23/24 season, reigning European champions City are the favorites to win it all again.
Following their 6-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s team returned to the top of the Premier League.
The City Football Group, City’s owners, may face a Champions League conundrum if they are predicted to place among the top four.
This is a result of Girona, a Spanish team that plays in La Liga and is owned by the City Football Group, having had an excellent start to the season.
Girona is two points ahead of Real Madrid in second place in La Liga after racking up 31 points from their first 12 games.
The City Football Group may run into issues if Girona keeps up their excellent play. As of right now, UEFA regulations prohibit owners from fielding multiple teams in the same European competition.
The City Football Group might be able to avoid the issue, though, if they sell Girona or reduce their ownership so they do not hold the majority of the shares.
Similar issues faced Manchester United, City’s local rivals, following rumors that INEOS CEO and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe was considering purchasing the team.
But after hearing that Ratcliffe intends to purchase a minority stake in the Old Trafford club, those worries have subsided.
Tuesday night, City will host BSC Young Boys, the Swiss champions, at the Etihad Stadium to resume their Champions League defense.
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