English giants Manchester City could reportedly be in danger of being booted out of the UEFA Champion's League next season.
LALIGA side Girona's rapid rise to prominence this season could come at a significant cost to the Citizens as both sides would be unable to compete in the continental competition simultaneously were they both to qualify.
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This is because the City Group invested into the Blanquivermells in 2017, securing a 44.3% stake in the club which has since been increased to 47%, according to the Express.
Besides City and Girona, the body also owns a variety of other clubs across the globe, including New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos, Montevideo City Torque, Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai City FC, Lommel SK, Esperance Sportive Troyes Aube Champagne, Palermo, and Brazilian outfit Bahia.
While their footballing empire has grown significantly over the years, though, their potential success may come at a significant cost.
UEFA's rules and regulations state two clubs owned by the same entity are prohibited from competing in the same European competition.
Article 5 of the organisation's UCL regulations reads: "No club participating in a UEFA club competition may, either directly or indirectly, have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition."
The rules also state that, if both qualify, only the highest-placed team in their respective league would be allowed to play in the competition.
Both sides currently occupy UCL spots in their respective leagues, with City in second place in the Premier League, level on points with Arsenal and two points behind leaders Liverpool.
Girona are also second on their table, five points behind Real Madrid after losing 4-0 to them on Saturday. Manager Míchel's men are, however, five points clear of third-place Barcelona in LALIGA.
As such, if the Citizens finish third and Girona maintain their current standing, the treble winners could thus face the dreaded possibility of being booted from one of the continent's most prestigious competitions.
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If both teams finish in the same position, then the English side would be more likely to compete in the tournament ahead of Girona, given their coefficient is higher than that of their Spanish counterparts.
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