NSWE advised on financial issue after Aston Villa investigation by UEFA
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
Aston Villa owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens will have been advised to reduce their shareholding at Vitoria to comply with UEFA regulations, according to Alan Hutton.
On 29 June, Villa announced on their official website that V Sports reduced their 29 per cent shareholding at Vitoria to 12 per cent by transferring shares equalling 17 per cent back to the Portuguese club.
The Guardian reported on 7 July that Villa have now been cleared by UEFA to play in the Conference League next season as Vitoria also qualified for European competition.
It is understood that despite V Sports reducing their role at Vitoria to the point where they no longer have board representation, Villa and Vitoria will not be able to sign players from each other.
UEFA had investigators on Villa’s case in recent weeks but it’s all be resolved now, with Hutton believing that the right advice was given to Sawiris and Edens.
“I always thought there was some kind of rule where as long as the clubs didn’t compete against each other, it would be okay,” Hutton told Villa News.
“It’s a section of the footballing world that I don’t know an awful lot about because I’ve never really been involved in it.
“There’s obviously a reason there as to why they need to reduce their stake and whatever it may be, they’ve been given that advice on exactly what they’ll do moving forward.
“It’s an interesting one but the rules are there for everybody to abide by and they’re no different to anyone else.”
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