UEFA rules on multi-club ownership explained as Girona join Man City in Champions League

Girona are celebrating their first-ever qualification for the Champions League, but their status as part of City Football Group had threatened to ruin their achievement earlier this season.

Michel's squad overcame 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to secure a remarkable 4-2 victory over Barcelona on Saturday, completing a league double over their fellow Catalan side. Ukrainian striker Artem Dovbyk was once again on the scoresheet, putting him two goals ahead of Jude Bellingham in the race for the Pichichi Trophy for the league's top scorer.

Barcelona's loss not only crowned Real Madrid as champions, but it also guaranteed a top-four finish for Girona, who leapfrogged Barca to take second place. They now sit 13 points clear of Athletic Club with just four games left, a significant improvement on their 10th-place finish last season.

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However, there were concerns earlier in the season that their affiliation with City Football Group could jeopardise their European involvement, especially with Manchester City also set for the Champions League next term. Our sister title Mirror Football examined UEFA's stance on the issue.

As stipulated in Article 5 of UEFA's Champions League regulations: "No club participating in a UEFA club competition may, either directly or indirectly hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition, be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of any