The scramble for European qualification this season has played out as much in legal teams and boardrooms as on the pitch. UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership (MCO) are designed to stop two clubs with overlapping control from competing in the same continental competition, and with the governing body insisting on stricter compliance deadlines this year, several English clubs have been rushing to rework structures and governance.
How the rules work
UEFA tests for conflicts in two ways: quantitative thresholds (commonly a 30% shareholding or voting stake) and a broader “decisive influence” assessment — whether the same people (directors, staff or others) can materially affect decisions at more than one club. If the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) finds a breach, it can block or reassign a place in European competitions. If two linked clubs would otherwise qualify, priority for any retained spot is given first to the club in the higher-ranked competition, then by domestic league finish, then by UEFA coefficient.
A key procedural change this season was moving the compliance cut-off to 1 March. After allowing late technical fixes in earlier years, UEFA has tightened the schedule; appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) from clubs such as Crystal Palace, Drogheda United and FC DAC 1904 were unsuccessful last season. The firm deadline has produced a late wave of resignations, share sales, blind trusts and board reshuffles from clubs across England and Europe.
Notable cases involving Premier League-linked clubs
Everton and AS Roma
Both clubs are ultimately controlled by the Friedkin Group via different subsidiaries. People with formal roles or influence across those holding companies — and Dan Friedkin’s visible roles at each club — mean UEFA’s wide definition of “control” could be engaged. Everton say they have taken remedial steps and are confident of resolving any concern, but have not revealed the detailed measures. The CFCB would examine whether there is any real or apparent shared influence before accepting both clubs in Europe.
Chelsea and Strasbourg
Under the BlueCo vehicle, Chelsea and Strasbourg have had clear operational links: staff moves and at least a dozen player transfers this season underline the connection. BlueCo has moved to distance the two clubs — several board members in its Alsace operation stepped down in February, and Chelsea co-owners resigned from certain BlueCo directorships at the end of February. If both teams reach the same competition, UEFA could impose restrictions (transfer bans between the clubs are a realistic sanction; past precedent suggests trading could be blocked for years). A further complication: if Strasbourg wins a European tournament, UEFA rules generally ensure titleholders a place in Europe, but how that interacts with MCO restrictions is not completely spelled out.
Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos
Owner Evangelos Marinakis placed Forest shares into a blind trust to separate day-to-day control from his other club, Olympiakos. The transfer of control to Pittville Four Limited and independent trustees was recorded by the club on 28 February, although public registry updates appeared later. UEFA has accepted blind trusts in prior instances to permit multiple clubs to participate in Europe, but it has also warned that such arrangements cannot be assumed to be a permanent fix. The CFCB would still need to be satisfied the trust provides genuine independence.
Brighton, Hearts and Union Saint-Gilloise
Tony Bloom’s portfolio includes Brighton, Hearts and Union SG — all of which could, in theory, end up in European competition in a single season. Bloom proactively adjusted stakes: reducing his Union SG holding below 30% and taking a sub-30% stake at Hearts to avoid running afoul of share-based triggers. Because UEFA gives priority to clubs in higher-ranked competitions, complex scenarios remain possible if more than one of his clubs qualifies for different European tournaments.
Leeds and Rangers
Leeds United’s owners are affiliated with 49ers Enterprises, which is part of the consortium controlling a majority share of Rangers. Paraag Marathe, who exercises 49ers’ voting rights, had roles across both clubs but stepped down from his Rangers positions late in February. Leeds say those changes remove any MCO conflict.
What could happen next
Clubs have responded to the tightened timetable with governance tweaks, resignations, share sales and trusts. But final outcomes hinge on the CFCB’s assessments and, if challenged, further CAS rulings. If UEFA finds a breach, remedies could range from barring transfers between linked clubs to demoting or excluding a team from European competition. When UEFA has to choose which club keeps a place, preference goes to the side in the higher-tier competition, then by domestic standing, then by coefficient.
With many Premier League clubs now part of wider multi-club groups, the precise meaning of “decisive influence,” the timing of filings and the legal form of ownership changes are all likely to determine who actually appears in next season’s European draws. The uncertainty means sporting results are no longer the only factor deciding which English teams play in Europe.