Tony Bloom, Brighton and Hearts - why both can play in Conference League and UEFA rules

Bloom is the owner and majority shareholder of English Premier League club Brighton and he also holds a 29 per cent stake in Hearts, which he took up a year ago after being voted in by the Foundation of Hearts.

Hearts qualified for the Conference League on Wednesday night after beating Rapid Vienna on penalties and then 24 hours later, Brighton joined them after a 4-0 win at home to Tromso.

The pair could actually play against each other, depending on the outcome of this lunchtime’s draw - but even having both teams in the same competition has raised questions from onlookers as to whether Bloom is breaching UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.

Both Brighton and Hearts are relaxed about the situation. Bloom has done his due diligence - and he also has a club in the Europa League with Union Saint-Gilloise, where he reduced his stake to 29 per cent three years ago so not to fall foul of regulations.

The key is the percentage shareholding. UEFA demand that it is beneath 30 per cent - that is why Bloom holds 29 per cent in both Hearts and USG so not to trigger a multi-club ownership (MCO) issue. European football’s governing body also take into account the composition of each club’s board and are understood to be satisfied with the arrangements at Bloom’s three interests.

There was a multi-club ownership saga last season when Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League due to a conflict with Lyon, who were also involved in the same competition. This was because Lyon owner John Textor was on the Palace board and held a shareholding of 44.09 per cent through his company Eagle Football Holdings. UEFA deemed this to breach MCO regulations.

It didn’t harm Palace too much - they went on to win the Conference League last season.

The Conference League draw takes place this lunchtime and Brighton, who are a pot two team, could play Hearts, who are in pot four. That will shine an even brighter light on Bloom’s involvement at Tynecastle. Hearts have flourished with his influence, so nearly winning the Premiership last term and benefitting from his Jamestown Analytics player database.

Back in May, when it became apparent that Brighton and Hearts could both be in Europe this season, a Tynecastle spokesperson assuaged any fears on the matter.

“We note the press relating to the possibility of Hearts and Brighton qualifying for the same UEFA competition,” a Hearts official told the Edinburgh Evening News. “Prior to his investment in Hearts, Tony Bloom and his legal advisers met with senior UEFA officials to ensure that his investment in Hearts would not create an issue for Hearts, Brighton or Union Saint-Gilloise in relation to UEFA's MCO rules.

“As previously stated, Tony’s investment in Hearts and the restrictions on his personal involvement with the club have been carefully considered and structured to ensure total compliance with UEFA’s rules. We can confirm that UEFA has given assurances to Tony that his investment at Hearts does not create an issue.”