Girona's Remarkable Journey: From Underdog to Champions League Contender

Girona, a Catalonian side, has emerged as the surprise story of the 2023/24 La Liga season. With an impressive start to the campaign, they currently sit at the top of the table, one point ahead of Real Madrid, having lost only once in 22 matches.

Despite their underdog status, Girona has already defeated powerhouses Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in their bid for the title, making their fourth top-flight season remarkable.

Even if Girona doesn't maintain their momentum against the might of Madrid and Barcelona, they are in a strong position to qualify for European football, including the prestigious Champions League.

However, Girona's success story is not a rags-to-riches fairytale. The club is part-owned by the City Football Group (CFG), making it a sister club of treble champions Manchester City. CFG, an investment portfolio for the Abu Dhabi United Group, has acquired clubs across continents since its establishment in 2014.

Alongside Girona and Manchester City, CFG owns or has stakes in clubs such as New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos, Motevideo City Torque, Sichuan Jiuniu, Mumbai City, Lommel, Troyes, Palermo, and Bahia.

With a 47 percent stake in Girona, CFG and the club enjoy shared assets, including player loans and financial support. However, this partnership raises concerns about a potential conflict of interest if both Girona and Manchester City qualify for the same competition, like the Champions League.

Fortunately for Girona, they would be eligible to participate in the Champions League if they qualify, even if Manchester City is also in the competition. Since CFG only owns a non-majority stake in Girona, they do not have complete control over the club.

UEFA's current rules focus on clubs with the same majority owner or ownership group, which does not apply to Girona and Manchester City. In fact, Girona applied for a UEFA license to compete in European competitions last season, and despite their links with City, they were granted permission to play in Europe.

Multi-club ownership, like that of CFG, is becoming increasingly popular. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin acknowledges the interest in this trend but emphasizes the need for strict rules to govern such ownership.

In conclusion, Girona's remarkable journey in La Liga and their potential qualification for the Champions League demonstrate their impressive performance as an underdog. Despite their partnership with Manchester City through CFG, Girona's eligibility to participate in the Champions League is not affected. As multi-club ownership gains popularity, it is crucial for governing bodies like UEFA to establish and enforce strict regulations to ensure fair competition.