Senior figures worry Manchester City could play in next season’s Champions League despite possible relegation

Senior figures within the English game have voiced concerns that Manchester City could still feature in the Champions League next season, even if the club were to be relegated after a breach of the Premier League’s financial regulations, according to BBC Sport.

The worry stems from the way UEFA allocates Champions League places based on league position. A club that finishes in a qualifying spot is entitled to compete in Europe, regardless of any domestic punishment that might see it drop to the Championship. That would create a situation where a relegated side plays in Europe while a higher‑placed Premier League team misses out.

Officials from the Premier League, the Football Association and UEFA are reportedly discussing how to align the two systems to avoid such a mismatch. Possible options include adjusting the qualification criteria or ensuring that any club relegated for financial breaches is excluded from continental competition.

The issue highlights the broader challenge of maintaining the integrity of both domestic and European competitions. Readers can find related match highlights on this site.