A fresh battle is brewing off the pitch as several Premier League clubs risk losing their European spots due to strict rules set by UEFA.
With the race for Europe intensifying, clubs are also scrambling to meet multi-club ownership (MCO) regulations, which prevent closely linked teams from competing in the same tournament.
Strict Rules Could Trigger Demotion Or Exit
Uefa’s rules are clear — if two clubs under similar ownership qualify for the same competition, one may be demoted or even removed. This has already happened, with Crystal Palace previously dropping from the Europa League to the Conference League.
The decision depends on factors like competition ranking, league position, and Uefa coefficients.
Everton And Roma Under Spotlight
Everton and AS Roma could face complications due to shared links under owner Dan Friedkin.
Both clubs are pushing for Europa League qualification, but Uefa may examine whether there is overlapping control or influence between them.
Everton insist they have taken steps to comply, though details remain undisclosed.
Chelsea-Strasbourg Link Raises Questions
The connection between Chelsea and Strasbourg is another major case.
Both clubs fall under the BlueCo ownership structure, and player movement between them has already drawn attention. Structural changes have been made, including board reshuffles, but Uefa’s final stance is still uncertain.
Forest’s Blind Trust Strategy
Nottingham Forest have taken a different route by placing ownership into a blind trust to avoid conflict with sister club Olympiakos.
While this method has been accepted in the past, Uefa has warned it may not automatically approve such arrangements again.
Other Clubs Also Affected
Clubs like Brighton & Hove Albion, Heart of Midlothian and Union Saint-Gilloise are also navigating ownership overlaps.
Similarly, Leeds United made board-level changes to avoid conflicts with Rangers.
Uncertain Outcome Ahead
With Uefa’s 1 March compliance deadline now strictly enforced, clubs may not get a second chance.
As things stand, qualification on the pitch may not guarantee a place in Europe — boardroom decisions could still decide who plays and who misses out.
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