Man Utd learn Europa League fate as UEFA confirm decision on Jean-Clair Todibo transfer

UEFA have confirmed that Manchester United and OGC Nice can both compete in next season’s Europa League, applying the same ruling to Manchester City and Girona in the Champions League. However, the clubs have agreed not to directly trade players this summer, blocking Jean-Clair Todibo’s proposed transfer.

On Friday, it was revealed that the CFCB First Chamber had opened proceedings due to a potential conflict with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

All involved investors “demonstrated that no one was simultaneously involved in the management, administration or sporting performance of more than one club participating in the same competition.”

They also proved that “no one has control or decisive influence over more than one club participating in the same competition.”

UEFA added that the involved investors ensured compliance with the regulations by overseeing “significant changes” that “restrict influence and decision-making power over more than one club.”

INEOS and the City Football Group have transferred their shares in Nice and Girona, respectively, to independent trustees through a blind trust structure overseen by the CFCB First Chamber.

They will be transferred back from July 1, 2025, after the conclusion of the Champions League and Europa League campaigns.

As additional evidence of United’s independence from Nice and City’s from Girona, all clubs have also made commitments that will impact their summer transfer windows.

UEFA have confirmed that the clubs won’t directly or indirectly trade players, permanently or on loan, from July 2024 until September 2025.

Pre-existing transfer agreements before CFCB proceedings opened are being treated as an exception.

It has ruled out the possibility of United signing Nice defender Todibo this summer, landing a blow to INEOS’ early transfer plans at Old Trafford.

In June, Sir Jim Ratcliffe slammed the ruling, claiming an unknown player at Nice was keen to join United and considered good enough to make the switch.

“We have a player at Nice, I’m not going to say his name, who is really interested in joining Manchester United and who has the ability to be a Manchester United player,” Ratcliffe said.

“They [UEFA] told us we can’t sell him to United. They’ve said we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can’t sell to Manchester United. But that’s not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”

UEFA have also noted that the clubs won’t cooperate with each other for any technical or commercial agreements or use any joint scouting or player databases.