Brighton and Hearts face 'question marks' over European participation - Finance Expert
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(Credit: Manh Tung, Football Insider) Sun 10 May 2026 8:00, UK Brighton and Hearts could both face a problem with UEFA’s multi-club rules in Europe next season.That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, as Bloom has significant investments in both clubs, as well as Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise. UEFA rules prohibit an individual holding decisive influence or control of two clubs in the same European competition.Hearts and Union Saint-Gilloise are currently both set to compete in Champions League qualifiers, which means they could drop down into either the Europa League or Europa Conference League.Brighton are fighting to earn a place in the Europa League or Conference League through the Premier League table, where they sit just a point behind the final European spot with three games to go.Tony Bloom faces ‘difficult’ situation at Brighton and HeartsEverton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – states that Bloom is “heavily involved” in football at both Brighton and Hearts, and could run into issues.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks Bloom will have to be “very clever” to manoeuvre around UEFA’s rules.PositionClubPoints5thAston Villa586thBournemouth527thBrentford518thBrighton50Part of the Premier League table as it stands. Seventh or above will secure Brighton with European football next season.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I haven’t heard what they’re going to try and put in place or what they have put in place, but certainly it could be an issue.
“But with this extra link and layer of involvement it’s difficult because that’s the attraction of Tony Bloom in many ways as an investor, and they’re very selective, and quite rightly so, as to which clubs they go with. “They’re going to have to think cleverly around how they get through the whole UEFA multi-club situation, and I do think there are some question marks there.”Brighton line up move for Hearts starBloom could have a pivotal part to play in the future of Hearts forward Claudio Braga, who will be of interest to many clubs this summer.Wyness told Football Insider that Bloom could bring Braga to Brighton, and in doing so ensure the 26-year-old does not join either Celtic or Rangers.It is believed Hearts would want in the region of £5million to let Braga leave Tynecastle after only one season.Braga has scored 14 goals in 35 Scottish Premiership appearances this season, and Brighton could give him his chance to step up to the Premier League. 🔵 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Brighton Insider Access Get the full story from the Amex and Lancing with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the South Coast.