Manchester United could be banned from the Champions League if they are taken over by Qatari investors.
Reports have claimed a group of private, high-wealth individuals based in the Middle Eastern state are eying up the Red Devils.
However, their cheers may simmer down very quickly once they find out they could be excluded from the Champions League.
French giants Paris Saint-Germain could also face a complicated future if Qatari investors purchase United.
If the Red Devils are purchased by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), United will not be able to compete in the Champions League.
UEFA rules dictate two clubs in the competition cannot be owned by the same people.
The QSI purchased PSG in the summer of 2011 and have been heavily bankrolling the Parisians ever since.
However, if their ambitions of buying United are as serious as they say they are, the Qataris may have to choose between PSG and the Red Devils.
The “Integrity of the UEFA Club competitions: Independence of clubs” rule forbids two sides in the same competition must not be directly, or indirectly, owned by the same ownership group.
In 2017, both clubs secured themselves a place in the Champions League.
However, both sides were eventually allowed to compete in the competition at the same time, after UEFA examined both clubs and concluded they were “suitably independent” from the Red Bull corporation.
