Leipzig, Salzburg allowed into Champions League despite Red Bull ties

RB Leipzig and FC Salzburg, which are both owned by the energy drinks company Red Bull, have received clearance from UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) to play in next season’s Champions League.

In a brief statement released Tuesday on the governing body’s website, UEFA said the two teams made “important” structural changes to ensure that Red Bull does not have “decisive” control or influence over more than one club.

No two clubs in a UEFA competition can share the same majority owner or have one individual holding a position of influence.

“Following a thorough investigation, and further to several important governance and structural changes made by the clubs (regarding corporate matters, financing, personnel, sponsorship arrangements, etc.), the CFCB deemed that no individual or legal entity had anymore a decisive influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition,” the statement read.

The Bundesliga’s 50-plus-1 rule – which requires members of German clubs to have a controlling stake and majority vote in affairs – may have set Leipzig apart from sister club Salzburg.

But Red Bull has also distanced itself from Salzburg, according to Reuters, as it has relinquished a majority stake in favour of a sponsorship.

Had UEFA ruled that only one Red Bull-associated outfit could feature in the Champions League, Austrian champion Salzburg would have qualified ahead of Bundesliga runner-up Leipzig because it finished higher in its league.

In fact, Leipzig would have disqualified for Europe altogether because of the possibility of Salzburg falling into the second-tier Europa League.

The two sides could now theoretically face each other in the group stage of the continent’s premier tournament, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest. Both play in stadiums named Red Bull Arena and wear shirts with the company’s famous logo.

Salzburg will enter the second round of qualifying in July, while Leipzig will begin action in the Champions League proper.