Lawyers: Both AC Milan and Toulouse can play in next season’s Europa League – UEFA won’t set an example
IMAGO | Sandro Tonali defending the ball during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy 10th May 2023.
There are still four matches to be played in Serie A, but as things stand now, AC Milan will qualify for next year’s Europa League. In that tournament they could face Toulouse, who are also owned by RedBird Capital Partners.
Such a situation could become normal in the future as MCO groups keep expanding their portfolios of clubs. Lawyers expect UEFA to accommodate the new type of ownership and allow both clubs to participate – if they both qualify.
Why it matters: The whole football industry is waiting for UEFA to present something substantial legally in terms of how it wants to embrace the MCOs in its competitions.
The perspective: Both domestic leagues’ fit and proper tests, FIFA and UEFA statutes, Financial Fair Play Regulations and club licensing rules need to be adjusted to the new ownership situation in European football.
11 May 2023 - 3:23 PM
If AC Milan, despite Wednesdays 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan, end up lifting this year’s Champions League trophy on the 10th of June in Istanbul, Turkey, then the legal department at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon might quietly celebrate.
That’s because as things stand now, they have some work to do, since Toulouse won the French Cup a few weeks ago and therefore managed to qualify for next year’s Europa League.
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