UEFA Aims to Relax Multi-Club Ownership Rules

UEFA is planning to revise its multi-club ownership (MCO) regulations, granting clubs more time to resolve potential conflicts starting next season.

This development follows the controversy surrounding Crystal Palace’s expulsion from the Europa League back in July.

At the time, American businessman John Textor owned a significant 44% stake in Palace; additionally, he was the principal shareholder of French outfit, Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League.

However, UEFA’s rules dictate that two teams owned by the same entity are prohibited from participating in the same European competition.

According to recent reports, the football governing body discussed potential revisions to MCO regulations at its European Football Clubs meeting last week in Rome, Italy. These discussions likely included relaxing the 1 March deadline for flagging MCO issues.

If the move were to be officially approved, it could prevent a repeat of the Palace situation, where failure to meet the initial deadline resulted in their demotion.

Of course, while clubs still need to identify potential conflicts by March, they will now have until early June – before the Europa League and Conference League qualifying draws – to resolve them.

Image Credit: Source