RB Leipzig’s Champions League place secure as Uefa give Germans and sister club RB Salzburg green light to play
There were fears one club would be banned from tournament due to both being owned by Red Bull but Uefa confirm all is fine
GERMAN surprise package RB Leipzig WILL be allowed to play in next season’s Champions League.
Uefa have confirmed the latest Bundesliga giants can participate in the elite European competition alongside sister club RB Salzburg.
Both clubs are owned by drinks manufacturer Red Bull but reports in May claimed Leipzig would be banned from the Champions League as only one team per company is allowed to participate.
The apparent ruling came as a surprise to all, with Salzburg already Euro regulars and nobody expecting Leipzig to finish second in their debut top-flight season.
But all is well with both clubs after Uefa confirmed both can play in the Champions League.
A statement read: “The CFCB has decided to accept the admission of both FC Salzburg and RB Leipzig to the Uefa Champions League 2017/18, having found that Article 5 (Integrity of the competition) of the regulations is not breached.
“Following a thorough investigation, the CFCB deemed no individual or legal entity had anymore a decisive influence over more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition.”
Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff had previously expressed his confidence at playing in the Champions League next season.
He said: “We are not nervous at RB Leipzig and also the Uefa signals don’t exit. If we qualify there is no reason why we should doubt to play in Europe next season.”