UEFA plans to relax multiclub ownership rules after Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League last season.
UEFA is set to relax its multiclub ownership (MCO) declaration rules after a controversy led to Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League last season.
The proposed change would give clubs more time to resolve potential MCO issues, addressing concerns raised by the Palace case.
Under the current rules, clubs must declare any potential MCO issues by March 1. However, UEFA is now poised to introduce a dual deadline system. Clubs would still need to highlight any potential issues by March 1, but would then have until the start of June to resolve any problems if multiple clubs in the same ownership group qualify for the same competition.
This change would provide clubs with more flexibility and time to address potential conflicts. The new deadline would coincide with the conclusion of the European season, allowing clubs to finalize their squads and prepare for the upcoming campaign.
The controversy surrounding Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League last season highlighted the need for clearer rules and more flexibility.
Palace were demoted to the Conference League after failing to meet the March deadline for putting the club in a blind trust, due to their owner John Textor’s joint shareholding in Lyon.
The case sparked a heated debate about MCO rules and their application. UEFA’s decision to relax the rules is seen as a response to the controversy and an attempt to provide more clarity and flexibility for clubs.
The proposed changes would benefit clubs that find themselves in similar situations in the future. By having more time to resolve potential MCO issues, clubs can avoid the risk of being excluded from European competitions due to circumstances beyond their control.
