{"id":298913,"date":"2023-12-12T15:26:04","date_gmt":"2023-12-12T15:26:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/?p=298913"},"modified":"2023-12-12T15:26:04","modified_gmt":"2023-12-12T15:26:04","slug":"man-city-risk-champions-league-ban-as-guardiola-faced-with-same-issue-as-man-utd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportslifetale.com\/soccer\/man-city-risk-champions-league-ban-as-guardiola-faced-with-same-issue-as-man-utd\/","title":{"rendered":"Man City risk Champions League ban as Guardiola faced with same issue as Man Utd"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Manchester City could land themselves in a Champions League pickle if sister club Girona qualify for Europe’s top-tier club competition. The Spanish side are flying in La Liga, putting Pep Guardiola at risk of a ban from the tournament unless boardroom changes are made at both clubs.<\/p>\n

Girona are threatening to spoil the party in Spain as they top the table, leading Real Madrid by two points and Barcelona by seven points after 16 matches. The unlikely title contenders, who are part of City Football Group (CFG), have lost just once in the league all season.<\/p>\n

Qualification for next campaign’s Champions League is therefore within their grasp, but CFG’s multi-club ownership model could see Girona and City fall foul of UEFA regulations.<\/p>\n

CFG and majority shareholder Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan own 47 per cent of Girona – a small enough stake to permit both sides to compete against one another, but certain ties would need to be cut.<\/p>\n

Don’t miss… <\/strong> Man City survive major Luton scare as Pep Guardiola fumes in comeback victory<\/strong><\/p>\n

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For example, John MacBeath and Simon Cliff are currently on the boards of City and Girona. Both men may be required to relinquish one of their positions, or risk the Sky Blues being barred from playing in next season’s Champions League.<\/p>\n

UEFA rules stipulate that, if both sides qualify, access to the competition will go to the team which finishes higher in their respective league. Girona are currently top of La Liga, with City fourth in the Premier League.<\/p>\n