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May 20, 2026
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UEFA Enforces Strict Ban on Multi-Club Ownership in Women's Champions League

AI Summary
UEFA has vowed to strictly enforce rules prohibiting multi-club ownership in the Women's Champions League, dealing a blow to investors like Michele Kang who own multiple European clubs. The decision aims to preserve sporting integrity despite the growing trend of multi-club ownership groups in women's football.

The Lead

UEFA has taken a firm stance against multi-club ownership in the Women's Champions League, with the organization's head of women's football confirming that rules prohibiting clubs with the same owner from competing against each other will be strictly enforced. This decision represents a significant challenge for investors who have built portfolios of women's football clubs across Europe.

UEFA's Strict Enforcement Policy

Nadine Kessler, UEFA's women's football director, made it clear that no exceptions would be made in the women's game despite the growing number of multi-club ownership groups. While acknowledging that these owners invest significantly in women's football, Kessler emphasized that when it comes to competition, the rules will be applied without compromise.

"There is an evolution of multi-club owners in women's football and they invest a lot into the game, which is important," Kessler said. "But at the same time, when it comes to playing in one football competition, there will be no different approach and no exceptions when it comes to the women's game, and this is being closely monitored."

Key Affected Investors and Clubs

The policy directly impacts investors like Michele Kang, who owns both OL Lyonnes—one of Saturday's Women's Champions League finalists—and London City Lionesses, a club with ambitions to compete for the Women's Super League title. Kang also owns the US side Washington Spirit.

Other multi-club ownership groups with significant European include:

  • Crux Sports, founded by former New Zealand captain Bex Smith, which owns Swedish champions Rosengård and French side Montpellier
  • Mercury13, which owns Italian Serie A club FC Como Women, Spanish top-flight side FC Badalona Women, and WSL2 club Bristol City

Preserving Sporting Integrity

Kessler defended the strict approach by questioning why sporting integrity should be preserved in men's football but not in women's football. She emphasized that ensuring fair competition is the most important aspect of organizing any sporting event.

"Why would we want to preserve the sporting integrity of men's football, but not of women's football? It's out of [the] question. I think in any sport, you want to preserve sporting integrity. That's the most important thing."

Regulatory Framework

Article 5 of UEFA's Women's Champions League regulations explicitly prohibits individuals from being involved in the management, administration, or sporting performance of more than one club participating in the competition. The regulations also prohibit anyone from having a decisive influence in the decision-making of multiple clubs or being a majority shareholder of more than one club.

Impact on the Women's Football Landscape

This strict enforcement comes at a time when women's football is experiencing significant growth and investment. The decision may reshape how investors approach women's football clubs, potentially leading to a focus on developing single clubs to their maximum potential rather than building portfolios. It also underscores UEFA's commitment to establishing the Women's Champions League as a competition with the same standards and integrity as its men's counterpart.

Final and Future Outlook

Kessler made her comments ahead of Saturday's Women's Champions League final in Oslo between Lyonnes and Barcelona, which she noted was expected to be a sellout "in the motherland of women's football." The strict enforcement of multi-club ownership rules is likely to remain a key focus as UEFA continues to develop and professionalize the women's game across Europe.