How Manchester City Ties Could Prevent Girona From Playing in 2024 Champions League

• Girona, alongside Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa, are the surprise packages in Europe this season
• They are joint-top with Real Madrid in La Liga and seven clear defending champions, Barcelona
• UEFA rules might, however, restrict them from playing in the Champions League next season

Girona's dominant performances in La Liga this season has been one of the major talking points across Europe's top-five leagues this season.

That a club that has only participated in Spanish top-flight football four times could pull a 2015 Leicester and win it all against the perennial bigwigs has sent shockwaves.

As of December 21, they were leading the table, but a 1-1 draw against Real Betis and a late Real Madrid win against Alaves saw the Los Blancos usurp them at the top on goal difference after 18 games.

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However, despite Michel Sanchez's fairytale run that could culminate in something special next season, there are growing concerns that their achievements won't go beyond Spain.

Girona could be barred from participating in next season's Champions League even if they were to finish in the top four due to UEFA's rule of multi-club ownership.

City Football Group

The Blanquivermells are part-owned by the City Football Group, part of Manchester City's owners - the Abu Dhabi United group.

The Abu Dhabi United Group created the City Football Group in 2014 to buy shares in several clubs worldwide. Their initial stake in Girona was 44.3% before it rose to 47%.

The UEFA rules prohibit clubs owned by the same person from competing in the same tournament to promote fair play.

"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. Two clubs owned by the same person, or a person who can influence the decision-making processes of a club, cannot participate in the same club competition."

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What can Girona do to qualify?

The City Football Group will be keen on getting a workaround to allow both teams to play if they qualify. In 2017, RB Leipzig and Salzburg were both allowed to play in the Champions League despite their ties to Red Bull.

BBC Sports reports that the former was compelled to scale down its relationship with its sister club, with the owner no longer having a controlling stake.

Additionally, Girona were handed a UEFA license last season, which essentially permits them to compete in European competitions. The club did this in anticipation of qualifying for the Conference League but lost their last five games of the season to finish 10th. Whether this allows them to participate in the same competition as Pep Guardiola's side remains to be seen.

UEFA's financial body will have to ascertain whether the City Football Group has a controlling stake despite its minority ownership before deciding whether both clubs can play. If both qualify, UEFA rules dictate that the club that qualified for the most lucrative competition, i.e. Champions League, Europa League and Conference League in that order, is given precedence.

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Alternatively, the team that finishes highest in their domestic competition will be allowed to compete in the competition they have qualified for.

How Man United could get knocked out of Europe

It is the same conundrum facing Manchester United due to their incoming minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Sports Brief previously reported that Ratcliffe is understood to be coming in with sweeping administrative powers on football operations, with a new Chief Executive Officer and technical director as possible positions he would seek to change.

If this is the case, Manchester United will need to match or better Nice's position in Ligue 1. Ratcliffe owns the French club.