Source:REUTERS/Chris Radburn
[Saba Sports News] According to British media reports, after reaching the Round of 16 of this season’s Europa League, Nottingham Forest has taken measures to ensure it complies with UEFA regulations that prohibit multiple clubs under the same ownership from participating in the same European competition. If Nottingham Forest wins this year’s Europa League title, they will qualify for next season’s Champions League. However, the club’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, also owns Greek side Olympiacos. If Olympiacos wins the Greek Super League this season, they will also qualify for the Champions League – a scenario that would breach UEFA’s rules. Premier League club Crystal Palace was stripped of its Europa League spot and forced to play in the Europa Conference League last year for similar reasons.
The editor believes that Nottingham Forest are stuck in a relegation battle in the Premier League this season. If they were to win the Europa League like Tottenham did last season despite their struggles, only to be denied a Champions League place for failing to complete the necessary procedures in advance, the consequences would be unthinkable.