Man City could miss out on the Champions League next season – even if they win the league

It's all out of Man City's hands.

Last season's Treble winners are the favourites to retain the title and lift Europe's ultimate prize once again but could still be at risk of missing out entirely.

While they are expected to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League their owners, the City Football Group, could be presented with a dilemma.

That's because Girona, also part of the City Football Group, currently sit top of LaLiga.

The Spanish side have collected 31 points from 12 games and are two points ahead of Real Madrid.

UEFA rules state that owners are forbidden from owning multiple teams in the same European competition, which could present a problem if both qualify.

One way this could be avoided is if the City Football Group sell Girona or reduce their stake so that they are no longer majority shareholders. They reportedly have a 47 per cent stake in the club presently.

Manchester United were faced with a similar hurdle following reports that British billionaire and INEOS boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe was interested in buying the club.

Ratcliffe has a majority stake in French club Nice but those fears were lifted when it emerged that the 71-year-old would only purchase a minority stake if successful.

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