Despite its victory in the Coupe de France, why Toulouse could be deprived of the European Cup?
Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin / Photo credit: JEAN CATUFFE / DPPI via AFP
Victorious in the Coupe de France on Saturday evening after easily beating FC Nantes (5-1), Toulouse could however be deprived of the European Cup despite the ticket obtained for the Europa League. We explain to you why the Téfécé could see its qualifying ticket withdrawn.
And if Toulouse did not have the right to its double reward? The 2023 Coupe de France champion may not be European next year despite obtaining the qualifying ticket for the Europa League after his big victory in the final against FC Nantes (5-1). And for good reason, the club is owned by the American investment fund RedBird Capital Partners. But since last June, this fund is also the majority shareholder of AC Milan.
However, the regulations of UEFA, the body that governs European football competitions, are clear: two clubs owned by the same shareholder cannot participate in the same competition. Indeed, Article 5 of the UEFA regulations states that “no club participating in a UEFA club competition may directly or indirectly: hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a competition UEFA club competitions, be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, be involved in any way in the management, administration and/or sporting activities of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, or hold any power in the management, administration and/or sporting activities of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
The Europa League for the fifth?
Such a scenario would occur if AC Milan finished in fifth place in the Italian championship, a place synonymous with qualification for the Europa League, or if the Milanese finished in the top four, synonymous with qualification for the Champions League. Because although the Champions League and the Europa League are two separate competitions, AC Milan could be returned to the Europa League if they finish third in their group. They could then cross the road to Téfécé in C3.
At present, the rossoneri are in fifth place in the Italian championship with six games remaining. This scenario therefore seems to be becoming clearer. If the Violets could not participate in the Europa League, the qualifying place for European competition would go to the fifth in Ligue 1 and not to the finalist of the Coupe de France.
Fr
