Uefa's head of women's football has stated that rules preventing clubs with the same owner from competing together in the Women's Champions League will be strictly enforced. This stance poses a challenge for investors like Michele Kang, who owns both OL Lyonnes, competing in Saturday's final, and London City Lionesses, who aim for the Women's Super League title next season.
Uefa's women's football director, Kessler, acknowledged the growing trend of multi-club ownership in women's football and the significant investment it brings. However, she emphasised that no exceptions will be made regarding competition participation. 'There will be no different approach and no exceptions when it comes to the women's game,' she said, noting that compliance is being closely monitored.
Workarounds have been used in men's competitions, but the rules for women are identical. Article 5 of the Women's Champions League regulations prohibits any individual from being involved in the management, administration, or sporting performance of more than one club in the competition. It also bans exercising decisive influence, majority shareholding, or appointment powers over multiple clubs.
Other multi-club groups in Europe include Crux Football, which owns Swedish champions Rosengård and French side Montpellier, and Mercury13, which controls Como Women, Badalona Women, and Bristol City. Kessler stressed the importance of preserving sporting integrity, stating, 'Why would we want to preserve the sporting integrity of men's football, but not of women's football?'
Kessler spoke ahead of Saturday's final in Oslo between Lyonnes and Barcelona, which is expected to be a sellout. She added, 'Our job as competition organisers is to make sure everything is 100% fair and there is not even a perceived breach of integrity.'
