Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe steps down from Rangers role before UEFA deadline | OneFootball

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has stepped down as Rangers vice-chairman two days before UEFA's one March 2026 multi-club ownership deadline.

The BBC reports that Marathe has relinquished his Ibrox post, and that director Gene Schneur has made the same decision. Both will continue in their Elland Road roles.

Marathe joined the Rangers board last summer following a 49ers Enterprises takeover. The group are also majority shareholders of Leeds. He served as deputy to chairman Andrew Cavenagh.

Their exits are understood to follow talks with UEFA regarding multi-club ownership rules. UEFA has set a deadline for clubs to evidence restructuring of multi-club arrangements, and prohibits any participant from influencing the management, administration or sporting performance of another entrant. Individuals can reduce their influence to stay below thresholds, as Evangelos Marinakis did last year with Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos.

Crystal Palace, the 2024/25 FA Cup winners, were moved from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League after a multi-club breach involving then Lyon majority shareholder John Textor. In such cases, the side ranked lower in its domestic league is removed.

Rangers appear on course for European qualification this season, either the Champions League or the Europa League. Leeds could, in theory, reach the Europa League by winning the FA Cup despite being far from league-based contention.

They face Norwich City in the fifth round early next month, aiming for a first quarter-final since 2002/03. Victory would leave Daniel Farke’s side three further wins from the trophy.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk