Daniel Kretinsky and West Ham United will be concerned by Kaveh Solhekol’s important update from UEFA ahead of next season.
Last week, Hammers News brought you an exclusive from UEFA on the situation with West Ham co-owner Daniel Kretinsky, who also owns Sparta Prague, a potential last 16 opponent.
West Ham fans will be aware that Kretinsky, the club’s second largest shareholder, also owns Czech team Sparta Prague.
Multi-club ownership has long been seen as a key stumbling block for a full Kretinsky acquisition of West Ham United, should the Czech billionaire ever decide to go forward with one. Despite the fact that our information from multiple high-profile sources has always shown that he has no desire to.
However, with West Ham being European regulars in the previous three years, it has become something of an elephant in the room.
Kretinsky and West Ham will be the focus of Solhekol’s important UEFA update.
As previously stated by Hammers News, if Kretinsky completes a full takeover, West Ham and Sparta Prague may be barred from competing in the same UEFA competition while under his ownership.
So when Kretinsky’s teams, West Ham and Sparta Prague, advanced to the Europa League knockout stages, it brought up the sensitive matter once more.
If the Czechs advance, they could be drawn against West Ham, which would create a conflict of interest for Kretinsky.
New MCO rules are on their way.
However, given UEFA’s tight multi-club ownership rules designed to ‘guard the integrity’ of the competition, it would raise issues.
A UEFA spokesman confirmed to Hammers News that a meeting was conducted in the summer to discuss and rule on any suspected MCO rule violations prior to the start of the European championships.
There were various cases to evaluate, but West Ham and Sparta’s did not require discussion, indicating that neither team is in peril in that aspect.
However, huge changes are on the way, according to Sky Sports’ chief correspondent.
UEFA’s primary upgrade for Kaveh Solhekol will involve Kretinsky and West Ham.
In light of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS involvement with both Manchester United and Nice, Solhekol has stated that UEFA will apply new stricter multi-club ownership restrictions at the end of the season.
That might have an impact on West Ham and Kretinsky, who gets a vote on everything at both the Hammers and Sparta.
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