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From Blind Trusts to Boot-Outs: Where UEFA Article 5 Stands Now

UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule (Article 5) remains in force. In 2024, some clubs complied via blind-trust structures accepted on an exceptional basis. In 2025, formal decisions and CAS outcomes show tighter enforcement. This explainer sticks to the public record and avoids speculation.

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Stadium at dusk with crowd silhouettes—symbolic of governance in football
Governance and eligibility rules can decide who plays in Europe.
Care note: Allegations remain allegations until substantiated by an official decision or court judgment. What follows cites UEFA/FIFA documents, CAS releases, and major-wire reporting.
Contents
What Article 5 says (2025/26) 2024: The blind-trust compliance route (exceptional) 2025: Decisions with teeth (documents, not opinions) How we got here (precedent) Scale of multi-club ownership Comparative enforcement (context only) Sources

What Article 5 says (2025/26)

UEFA bars two clubs under the same control or influence from playing in the same competition. If there’s a conflict, only one may be admitted, following a priority ladder; limited exceptions can move a club to a different competition.

Read Article 5
Football ball on pitch from above—illustrating club networks
Multi-club networks create eligibility conflicts when two clubs qualify for the same UEFA competition.

2024: The “blind-trust” compliance route (exceptional)

On 5 July 2024, UEFA’s CFCB admitted Girona & Manchester City (UCL) and Manchester United & OGC Nice (UEL) after investors placed affected stakes into independent blind trusts under supervision—expressly framed as an exceptional solution for that season.

UEFA CFCB notice (Jul 2024)

2025: Decisions with teeth (documents, not opinions)

Crystal Palace (UEFA → CAS)

On 11 Aug 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed Crystal Palace’s appeal against UEFA’s 11 Jul 2025 decision removing the club from the Europa League 2025/26 for Article 5 non-compliance; Palace were admitted to the Conference League.

CAS media release (PDF) Northridge Law summary

Club León (FIFA Club World Cup → CAS)

Mar 2025: FIFA removed Club León from the 2025 Club World Cup over ownership-link rules; on May 6, 2025 CAS rejected León’s appeal.

Reuters: removal (Mar 21, 2025) Reuters: appeal dismissed (May 6, 2025)

How we got here (precedent)

In 2017, after assessing the relationship between RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg, UEFA’s CFCB accepted both into the UCL 2017/18—an early landmark on “decisive influence.”

CFCB decision (PDF) UEFA article

Scale of multi-club ownership

CIES (2024) counted 341 clubs across European leagues with ownership links by end-2023—useful context for why Article 5 conflicts recur.

CIES report (PDF)

Comparative enforcement (context only)

Comparative enforcement (outside UEFA club eligibility): For perspective on broader integrity actions, see China’s criminal cases: former national coach Li Tie lost his appeal against a 20-year sentence (Apr 30, 2025). These are judiciary outcomes, separate from UEFA eligibility.
Reuters AP

Sources

  1. UEFA Champions League Regulations 2025/26 — Article 5 (Integrity / MCO): UEFA.com
  2. UEFA CFCB multi-club cases (Girona/Man City & Man United/Nice), exceptional blind-trust route (Jul 5, 2024): UEFA.com
  3. Crystal Palace v UEFA — CAS media release (Aug 11, 2025): tas-cas.org • Summary: Northridge Law
  4. Club León — FIFA removal (Mar 21, 2025) and CAS appeal dismissed (May 6, 2025): Reuters (Mar 21, 2025) • Reuters (May 6, 2025)
  5. RB Leipzig / FC Salzburg — CFCB decision and admission (2017): Decision PDF • UEFA article
  6. Scale of MCO (end-2023): CIES Sports Intelligence (PDF)
  7. China enforcement (context only): Reuters • AP
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