The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) First Chamber has confirmed the participation of Girona FC and Manchester City FC in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. Similarly, Manchester United FC and OGC Nice have been approved for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League. These decisions mark significant milestones for the clubs and set the stage for an exciting season ahead in European football.

The UEFA CFCB First Chamber Approves Girona FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC, and OGC Nice for UEFA Competitions 2024/25″

The UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) First Chamber initiated proceedings involving Girona FC and Manchester City FC, as well as Manchester United FC and OGC Nice, due to potential conflicts with Article 5 of UEFA’s club competition regulations regarding multi-club ownership.

Following substantial changes implemented by investors (City Football Group for Girona FC and INEOS for OGC Nice), the CFCB First Chamber has accepted Girona FC and Manchester City FC into the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, and Manchester United FC and OGC Nice into the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League. These clubs successfully demonstrated compliance with the multi-club ownership rule through these adjustments.

• No Individual Holds Dual Roles in UEFA Club Competitions”
• In accordance with UEFA regulations, no individual may simultaneously manage, administrate, or influence the sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition. This rule ensures fair competition and prevents conflicts of interest within European football tournaments.

To meet UEFA regulations on multi-club ownership, significant changes have been implemented in the ownership, governance, and financial support structures of relevant clubs. These adjustments notably limit the influence and decision-making authority of investors across multiple clubs, ensuring adherence to the rules for the 2024/25 season.

Specifically, investors have transferred ownership stakes in Girona FC and OGC Nice to independent trustees via a blind trust framework overseen by the CFCB First Chamber. This blind trust arrangement was approved by the CFCB First Chamber as an exceptional measure for the upcoming UEFA competitions. Trustees will maintain regular communication with the CFCB First Chamber throughout the 2024/25 season to ensure ongoing compliance.

For the upcoming 2024/25 season, Girona FC and OGC Nice have implemented stringent measures to comply with UEFA regulations:

• Control and decision-making at both clubs now exclusively rest with appointed trustees.
• Investor representation on the board of directors has ceased, with trustees now responsible for board appointments.
• Investors have no influence over sporting decisions, veto rights, or contractual arrangements with other shareholders.
• Financing options for the clubs are restricted, and their financial statements are no longer consolidated under the investors’ holding company.

Additionally, to underscore their independence:

• Both clubs have committed not to transfer players between each other from July 2024 to September 2025, except for pre-existing agreements.
• No cooperative or joint technical/commercial agreements will be entered into between the clubs.
• There will be no shared scouting or player database initiatives.

These measures ensure compliance with UEFA regulations and uphold fair competition standards for the clubs involved.

Future Ownership of Girona FC and OGC Nice from July 2025

Effective from July 1, 2025, ownership of shares in Girona FC and OGC Nice will revert to their respective investors. Unless significant changes occur in shareholding, governance, or financing structures, both clubs will be deemed under the control or decisive influence of their investors from that date onward.

The CFCB First Chamber will maintain oversight of these developments to ensure continued compliance with the multi-club ownership rule throughout the 2024/25 season.

The CFCB First Chamber has approved the inclusion of Girona FC (ESP) and Manchester City FC (ENG) in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, along with Manchester United FC (ENG) and OGC Nice (FRA) in the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League.

The UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s First Chamber (CFCB First Chamber) recently addressed potential conflicts with the multi-club ownership rule involving several prominent clubs:

• Girona FC (ESP) and Manchester City FC (ENG)
• Manchester United FC (ENG) and OGC Nice (FRA)

After significant changes implemented by the investors — City Football Group and INEOS respectively for Girona FC and OGC Nice — the CFCB First Chamber approved their participation in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League and Europa League. These adjustments ensured compliance with Article 5 of UEFA’s club competitions regulations, which stipulate:

• No individual can be involved in the management, administration, or sporting performance of more than one UEFA club competition participant.
• No individual can exert control or decisive influence over more than one club in UEFA competitions.

Specifically, changes in ownership, governance, and financial support at Girona FC and OGC Nice have significantly curtailed investor influence, aligning with the multi-club ownership rule for the 2024/25 season. Key measures include transferring shares to independent trustees through a supervised blind trust structure approved by the CFCB First Chamber. Trustees will maintain regular communication with UEFA authorities throughout the season.

Key provisions for Girona FC and OGC Nice during 2024/25 include:

• Sole control and decision-making authority vested in trustees.
• Investor withdrawal from the board, with trustees appointing new directors.
• Restrictions on investor influence in sporting decisions, veto rights, and financial arrangements with other shareholders.
• Deconsolidation of club financial statements from investor holding companies.

Additionally, both clubs have pledged independence by:

• Restricting player transfers between each other until September 2025, except for pre-existing agreements.
• Avoiding joint technical, commercial, or scouting agreements.

Effective from July 1, 2025, shares in Girona FC and OGC Nice will revert to their respective investors unless significant ownership, governance, or financial changes occur, reaffirming investor control post-season.

The CFCB First Chamber remains vigilant in overseeing compliance with the multi-club ownership rule throughout the 2024/25 season.

All the groups of the Copa America have been defined and the continental tournament has left us with some big surprises.

In the first round, the two CONCACAF top seeds, Mexico and the United States, have been kicked out of the knockout phase due to the great performance of countries like Venezuela and Panama.

In fact, ‘La Vinotinto’ managed to surprise everyone by winning all their games and climbing to the top of Group B ahead of the favorites, Mexico and Ecuador.

Against all odds, the team coached by Fernando “Bocha” Batista is shaping up to become one of the four semi finalists of the tournament, although first they will have to overcome the powerful defense of the Canadian national team.

The rise of La Vinotinto in this Copa América has not been a matter of luck, far from it. Therefore, we will review the keys of this Venezuelan national team that seeks to surpass or equal their best performance in the competition when they reached the semifinals at the Copa América in Argentina in 2011.

Rafael Romo and a solid defense for the team. One of the keys to ‘La Vinotinto’ success has been its unbreakable defense. In the three matches of the group stage, Venezuela only allowed Sarmiento’s goal against Ecuador, produced after a clearance from a free kick.

Against Mexico, the most important match for the group phase, the Venezuelan team showed physical and psychological strength to withstand the Aztecs attacking force.

In fact, in the past, Venezuela was a team characterized by conceding goals in the final moments of matches.
Yordan Osorio, Venezuela’s central back, has highlighted in several interviews the importance of the mentality promoted by Batista in the team’s performance, which has given them much more self-confidence to achieve the expected results.
With this change of mentality, added to the high performances of young players Jon Aramburu, Nahuel Ferraresi and Miguel Navarro, Venezuela has put together a defense that has already gone more than 225 minutes without receiving any goal in this Copa America. And, of course, we cannot leave Rafael Romo out of the team’s defensive performances. In his duel against Mexico, the goalkeeper from the Universidad Católica of Ecuador became the first Venezuelan goalkeeper to save a penalty kick in a Copa América match.
Rafael Romo’s statistics in Copa America 2024.
Two Clean Sheets.
One saved penalty kick.
10 saves.
Two key saves against forwards.
The Reborn of Salomon Rondón in Copa América.

Salomón Rondón arrived at this Copa América as the all-time leading scorer of the Venezuelan national team and his high level of play has been reflected in Venezuela’s good performance in the tournament.
Rondón, with his two goals, one against Mexico and the other against Jamaica, tied striker José Luis Dolgetta as the Venezuelan player with the most goals in Copa América, equaling his record of six goals.
“El Gladiador” has reaffirmed his good moment in the competition after being elected the most valuable player of the CONCACAF Champions League and having lifted the trophy with his club, Pachuca of Mexico.
In addition to his goalscoring plus, Rondón contributes substantially to the game by offering himself as a pivot to fast players such as Soteldo and Bello, who open up the field and take advantage of the fullbacks’ runs to cause damage on the sides.
With two goals and an assist, Salomón Rondón is Venezuela’s most lethal weapon in attack and one of the stars of the tournament.
Eduar Bello’s goal-scoring breakthrough and Batista’s substitutions.
Another differential aspect in the Vinotinto’s matches has been the stellar appearance of Eduar Bello at important moments.
Appearing from the right side of the attack, Bello managed to score the winning goal against Ecuador after a header by Salomón Rondón that was blocked by goalkeeper Domínguez.
Against Jamaica, the Mazatlan F.C. winger scored the first goal with an excellent header at the near post after an excellent cross from Jon Aramburu.
However, Bello, also known for his acrobatic goal against Brazil in the WC qualifiers, did not start the tournament. Batista opted to bring him on at halftime against Ecuador.
The Argentinean coach’s reading of the matches has had a positive impact on Venezuela’s play and results.
Against Ecuador, he decided to be much more offensive after Enner Valencia was sent off in the first half. The substitutions of Cádiz and Bello up front gave much more dynamism to the Venezuelan offense and allowed them to come back from a 1-0 deficit.
At the same time, against the Mexican national team, Batista started with Jefferson Savarino, but his plan did not work as expected. At halftime, the Argentinean tactician sent Cristian Cásseres to the pitch in order to rearm his line of three midfielders.
After this substitution, Venezuela was able to regain possession of the ball and position itself in the opposing field. In fact, Quiñonez’s foul for penalty kick against Aramburu came after a fast ball recovery of the team.

Ready to make history against Canada at Copa America 2024.
Now, Venezuela is getting ready to face the tough physical game of the Canada national team., led by Alphonso Davies, Bayern Munich winger.

Venezuela, with its viral slogan: “Mano, tengo fe” (Bro, I have faith), will use their football skills and hope to seek a historic campaign that will take them to the semifinals once again, as happened in 2011.

One thing is clear, Venezuela is the biggest surprise of the Copa América and their current situation reaffirms that they are strong candidates to reach the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The dream of the whole nation.

Euro 2024 is now in its knockout stages which means there have been a number of iconic moments as well as disappointing outings recorded so far.

Par for the course, Italy’s reign as champions of Europe was brought to an end by a vastly superior Switzerland side who dished out a 2-0 defeat in Berlin.

That incredible Round of 16 tie saw Switzerland set out to control possession and they succeeded as Italy struggled physically and technically to deal with their opponents.

Remo Freuler got the breakthrough in the 37th minute as he turned a low cross into the back of the net. Ruben Vargas then fired a shot into the top corner early in the second half as the Swiss booked their spot in the Last 8.

Victory over the defending champions was Switzerland’s first over Italy in all competitions since 1993, and only their second knockout win without needing penalties since the 1938 World Cup. It also means the reigning champions have now been eliminated in the Last 16 at the last three Euros tournaments.

Murat Yakin’s men will take on England on Saturday 6 July at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Dusseldorf.

The Three Lions overcame Slovakia to progress to the quarter-finals despite looking well off the pace for long periods and going behind in the first half. They eventually forced extra-time through Jude Bellingham’s sensational bicycle kick with the last action of normal time and then took the lead in the 91st minute through Harry Kane.

Meanwhile, Euro 2024 has been a major success for Switzerland who have now equalled their record-best quarter-finals place after eliminating then-world champions France at  ro 2020.

The A-Team began their campaign with a 3-1 win over Hungary before Xherdan Shaqiri’s sensational strike earned a point against Scotland on Matchday 2. They came close to beating tournament hosts Germany in their final group game, but were denied victory and top spot in Group A by Niclas Fullkrug’s 92nd-minute equalizer.

Switzerland were underdogs when they lined up against holders Italy in Berlin on Saturday but proceeded to deliver a footballing lesson in effective pressing and organization.

There was nevertheless lots of quality on show from Murat Yakin’s side as Granit Xhaka and Remo Freuler dictated the game from midfield while Ruben Vargas was decisive down the left wing. Manuel Akanji put in an excellent performance defensively as well as in possession as his team comfortably saw the game out; the overall display was exemplary and Switzerland will certainly be England’s toughest opponents in Germany so far.

The Red Crosses have scored seven goals at this Euros which have all come from different players. There is a distinct team cohesion which is a huge reason why they have lost just one of their last 18 matches, winning eight and drawing nine.

After knocking out France on penalties at their only previous European Championship Round of 16 game three years ago, this outright win and clean sheet against Italy now ranks up there among the greatest Swiss victories ever.

“We saw the fans afterwards and also in our previous three matches and it really sends a shiver down your spine,” Murat Yakin said. “It is hugely gratifying.

“All this support shows we are on the right track and we are doing things the right way. We are in a position we have earned but we are not done yet.

“We sent out an important signal in terms of the game we played. We didn’t only club together and defend as a unit and sit back, in fact we showed that we could attack and dominate in every area of the pitch.”

Beware of the Dark Horses

England have had to labour to a win and three draws over 90 minutes so far despite the embarrassment of talents at Gareth Southgate’s disposal.

The midfield area – where there have been the most changes – has thus far lacked balance while the attack is looking toothless in spite of the world class performers there.

Phil Foden has struggled throughout the tournament in an unfamiliar left-wing role and Bellingham’s presence in the number 10 position deprives him of the areas he prefers to operate in. The Three Lions lack a willing runner off the ball as all of Kane, Foden and Bukayo Saka all prefer the ball to feet.

After four sub-par performances, Southgate desperately needs to make some changes to give his side any hope of going far in the competition. Hence, Anthony Gordon could be handed an opportunity from the start and his pace could make a difference against Switzerland.

England will have one more position to worry about as Marc Guehi, one of their standout players at Euro 2024, will be suspended in the quarterfinal and there will be a new face alongside John Stones at the heart of defence.

Yet, they will be up against a well-drilled Swiss side with a starting line-up against Italy that boasted 723 caps between them. England have been the polar opposite as they lack any synergy which would pose a serious problem in the quarterfinal.

Switzerland are now a surprise package and should be considered one of the dark horses at this tournament. When this observation was put to their manager, he urged caution and focus in the games to come.

“So much can still happen,” Yakin said. “It’s the knockout stage, every game has its own story, every match is decisive, but we have the right shape and we have the right gameplan and we are a good team, we showed that again here.

“But we still need to keep our feet on the ground. We need to make sure that we are humble in our approach, because that has underpinned how we have conducted ourselves so far.”

That humility may be the undoing of England’s perceived arrogance at major tournaments, and the assurance of their system with the confidence they have built so far in this tournament may be too much for the Three Lions to handle come Saturday.

Having reached at least the Last 16 of five consecutive major tournaments since the 2014 World Cup, those experiences of knockout football will stand them in good stead against an uncertain England team.

Switzerland may just be an unstoppable force at EURO 2024, and in their easier side of the draw, they could be in for a historic summer.