Why are Brighton and Hearts both allowed in the Conference League?

What the report says

Brighton and Hove Albion and Heart of Midlothian could both be in the Conference League this season despite sharing owner Tony Bloom. BBC Sport says the two clubs have been judged eligible to compete in the same UEFA competition if they progress from this month’s qualifying round, with Brighton facing Tromso and Hearts meeting Rapid Vienna.

The article explains that the situation centres on UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Bloom has built a wider football portfolio that also includes Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, and BBC Sport says he has structured his holdings carefully to stay within the regulations. In the 2023-24 season, when Brighton and Union Saint-Gilloise both qualified for the Europa League, Bloom reduced his stake in the Belgian club to 29%, which is below UEFA’s 30% threshold.

According to BBC Sport, he took a similar approach when buying into Hearts last year, also holding 29%. UEFA also considers other factors such as board composition and decision-making authority, and the article says Brighton and Hearts passed those checks as well.

The piece notes the contrast with Crystal Palace, who were removed from the Europa League last season in a separate ownership dispute involving Lyon. For readers, the broader significance is that multi-club ownership has become a major issue in European competition, and this case shows how clubs can remain eligible if their ownership and governance are arranged to meet UEFA’s rules.