Liverpool's Premier League rivals Champions League ban latest as UEFA rule changes explained
Liverpool are set to play Champions League football next season after winning the Premier League title
Along with becoming Premier League champions, Liverpool have qualified for next season's Champions League and will be wondering which of their Premier League rivals could join them in the competition. After all, it is a process complicated by new multi-club ownership rules that could see certain rivals held back.
In the race over the final two matches of the season are Arsenal, seemingly nailed-on in second place, and after them Newcastle United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, all duking it out for the remaining three spaces. There is also the Europa League final, which will grant either one of Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur entry into the Champions League.
It is not as clear-cut as saying all will be settled in two weeks' time, as a number of Liverpool's aforementioned rivals would have to comply with UEFA's updated, stringent rules around multi-club ownership.
In March 2025, European football's governing body updated their multi-club ownership rules ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. In article five of the Champions League rulebook, it outlined its mission to ensure the integrity of its club competitions.
In short, UEFA do not permit the partnership, alliance and/or cooperation of individuals, directly or indirectly, between clubs in a significant position of power. From the owners to the boardroom, from the sporting directors to the coaches, the rules are strict on paper.
They state: "The club must be able to prove, as of March 1, 2025, the below multi-club ownership criteria were met and the club must continue to comply with the below criteria from that date until the end of the competition season."
The first of three criteria outlines that no club participating in a UEFA club competition may, either directly or indirectly:
- hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition;
- be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition;
- be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition; or
- have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition.
The second of three criteria states: "No one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition."
And, the third of three criteria outlines: "No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition, such control or influence being defined in this context."
This is defined as:
- holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;
- having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;
- being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or
- being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club
Should Manchester United win the Europa League ahead of Spurs, then they could find themselves in hot water as minority owners Ineos, headed up by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, control the day-to-day running of things at Old Trafford but also hold a 100 percent stake in Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice, who will make the 2025/26 Europa League as things stand.
As the rules were not in place this season they were granted a temporary reprieve by being allowed to transfer Nice shares into a blind trust so both could compete at once, though that is valid only until July 1, 2025.
Afterwards they would need a permanent solution otherwise one of the two clubs would be barred from European football next season.
The same message goes for Chelsea, whose BlueCo. ownership owns almost the entirety of Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg. They are set to qualify for the Champions League too.
And lastly it is an issue already sorted by Forest, whose owner Evangelos Marinakis recently diluted his control in the club so on paper he is no longer a 'person with significant control', knowing that the other club he owns, Olympiacos, are set to win the Greek championship.
Liverpool FC has launched its Premier League champions range after winning its 20th league title.
Fans can pick up items including the 24/25 Home Stadium Jersey with 'Champions 20' printing or 'Champions 24/25' today.