Sir Jim Ratcliffe ‘set deadline’ by UEFA as Man Utd face Europa League ban

UEFA have given Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS until Monday to prove why Manchester United and Nice should both be allowed to compete in the Europa League next season. United qualified by winning the FA Cup on Saturday but could face expulsion due to their lower league position than Nice, another INEOS-owned club.

Ratcliffe completed his purchase of a 27.7 per cent stake in February, inheriting a significant say in all aspects of the Red Devils' operations.

His INEOS group are also the majority shareholder at Nice following a 2019 takeover. The French club booked a Europa League spot by finishing fifth in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, United recorded their worst-ever Premier League campaign, slumping to eighth, outside of the European places entirely.

But Erik ten Hag's side beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, entering the Europa League as a bonus after lifting their 13th FA Cup.

They could quickly be banned from the competition, though, if they fail to satisfy UEFA with their reasoning to be involved alongside Nice.

UEFA's multi-club ownership rules prevent any individual or organisation from having "decisive influence" over the running of more than one club in the same competition.

According to The Telegraph, United will learn the verdict from an independent panel before the Europa League qualifying rounds begin in July.

If the outcome goes against the Old Trafford club, they will drop into the Conference League since they finished lower than Nice in their respective division.

That would leave Tottenham Hotspur as England's sole entrants in the Europa League, with United and Chelsea flying the flag in the Conference League.

However, INEOS have held direct talks with UEFA and are "confident" they will find a solution that, in line with the governing body's latest guidances, ensures the integrity of the competition.

The Telegraph add that INEOS could surrender their day-to-day control at Nice, limiting Ratcliffe's involvement to being the club's primary investor.

There were instances of a successful outcome to such a dilemma in the 2023/24 season, including at Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Their owners had to alter their control at Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes and Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise, respectively.

City Football Group also face a similar issue in the upcoming campaign after Girona qualified for the Champions League by finishing third in La Liga.

Man City won't be directly impacted, considering they won the Premier League, but Girona could be at risk of losing their place.