Tony Bloom to 'run into issues' if Brighton secure European qualification ex-CEO
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(Credit: Imago) Thu 7 May 2026 18:45, UK Tony Bloom could be in trouble with UEFA’s multi-club rules if Brighton were to qualify for European football this season.That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, as Brighton sit just a point below the final European place in the Premier League table with three games left to play.Alongside Brighton, Bloom also has investments in Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise and current Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts.The 56-year-old had to reduce his stake in Union Saint-Gilloise to under 30% before the 2023-24 season as Brighton had also qualified for the Europa League.It is unclear whether Brighton would comply with UEFA’s multi-club rules if they were to meet either Union Saint-Gilloise or Hearts in Europe next season, with both those clubs currently on course to participate in the Champions League qualifiers.Brighton face uncertain European fateEverton’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 – believes Bloom should have prepared for this scenario before UEFA’s March 1st deadline. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness states that Bloom could find it “very hard” to convince UEFA he has complied with their rules.Wolves (H)May 9thLeeds (A)May 17thManchester United (H)May 24thBrighton’s final three Premier League fixtures in their race to secure a European place.He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Brighton are going to have to do something, and I don’t know what they’ve done by March the 1st, which they should have done in terms of registering with UEFA.“I would hope with the experience Bloom’s had from the Union Saint-Gilloise situation, that they’ll be able to put forward the case of how they have no decisive influence over the football side.
“That’s going to be very hard in terms of Tony Bloom because of Jamestown Analytics, which is a key part of that, which is a key part of decision-making at the football side. So I think they may run into issues around that.” Brighton to compete for Middlesborough starSources have told Football Insider that Brighton hold an interest in Middlesborough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer, as he looks set to leave the Riverside.Hackney’s future could depend on whether Middlesborough secure promotion to the Premier League through the Championship play-offs, but either way Brighton could make an approach for the 23-year-old.Brighton will face plenty of competition for Hackney’s signature, and Middlesborough will not be letting the midfielder go on the cheap. 🔵 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.