Sir Jim Ratcliffe slams ‘unfair’ decision over interests of Man Utd’s Jean-Clair Todibo

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed that the Red Devils are barred from signing Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo this summer.

Ratcliffe, who also owns Ligue 1 side Nice, bought a majority share of United earlier this season and was quickly tipped to strike a deal to bring Todibo to Old Trafford with him after the 24-year-old established himself as the one of the best young people. defenders in Europe.

However, Fabrizio Romano revealed on Wednesday that, despite advanced discussions over a potential transfer, UEFA rules had prevented United from doing business with Nice while both clubs were under Ratcliffe’s control.

Ratcliffe confirmed this in an interview with Bloombergexpressing confusion over the decision.

“They said we could sell him to another Premiership club, but we can’t sell him to Manchester United,” Ratcliffe said. “But it’s not fair to the player and I don’t see the point.”

Ratcliffe’s association with Nice and United has long raised questions about the two teams’ ability to play in the same UEFA competition, with current rules prohibiting clubs under the control of the same entity from playing each other.

Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig, both owned by Red Bull, were investigated over the issue in 2017 and were only granted permission to play in the same competition after officials linked to beverage franchise were removed from the board of directors of the first.

Not only have Salzburg and Leipzig clashed since then, but they have also made several deals in the transfer market. Dominik Szoboszlai and Benjamin Sesko are the most notable names to have left Austria for Germany since the investigation closed.

Manchester City are also facing similar scrutiny in their search for Brazilian winger Savio, who was signed from Troyes after a season on loan at Girona – two clubs also part of the City Football Group.

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