Roma or Everton at risk of European exclusion in 2026-27 | OneFootball

There is a growing possibility that both Roma and Premier League side Everton end up qualifying for the same European competition at the end of the 2025-26 season, which could result in one of them being excluded due to the fact that both sides are under the same ownership.

Roma and Everton at ‘risk’ of qualifying for the same competition

Dan Friedkin is the majority shareholder of both Roma and Everton, holding 95.97% of the Giallorossi shares and 94.1% of shares in the Premier League club.

As things stand, both sides are competing for a spot in UEFA competitions for 2026-27 in their respective domestic leagues. Roma are currently sixth in Serie A, which would be enough for a Europa League finish, but are still hoping for a Champions League spot, and currently sit just three points behind Como in fourth.

Everton, meanwhile, are eighth in the Premier League, level on points with Brentford in seventh. Like Roma, they are also three points away from a Champions League spot, given that the Premier League is expected to receive five UCL places again in 2026-27.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 21: David Moyes, Manager of Everton, celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

However, under UEFA regulations, no individual or legal entity is permitted to have a decisive influence over more than one club competing in its competitions.

That means that if both Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same European competition next season, whether that be the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League, one team would either be demoted to a lower-ranking competition, or potentially excluded altogether.

Just last season, Premier League side Crystal Palace had qualified for the Europa League as a result of their FA Cup win, but were then demoted to the Conference League given that they were under the same ownership as Ligue 1 side Lyon, who had already qualified for the Europa League.

ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

If Roma and Everton were to qualify for the same competition, UEFA would be expected to give preference to the side that finished highest in its respective national league. If there is no difference, the place should be awarded to the club whose federation ranks highest on the UEFA access list.