Takeover of OGC Nice by INEOS Group: An Analysis by the French Competition Authority

French Competition Authority, Decision no. 19-DCC-160, 21 August 2019

Date of the decision: 2019-08-21

On 22 July 2019, the INEOS Group notified the French Competition Authority of its intention to assume control of Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice Côte d’Azur, the company which manages OGC Nice Football Club (OGC Nice). In a decision dated 21 August 2019, the French Competition Authority authorized the transaction, without attaching any particular conditions. From a multi-club ownership perspective, the aforementioned transaction means that, eventually, the INEOS Group would have to modify its football clubs’ legal structure in the event two or more clubs belonging to the INEOS Group qualify for UEFA club competitions. On the picture, Bob Ratcliffe, CEO of INEOS football with the OGC emblem, after the group completed the takeover of Nice Football Club on 27 August 2019.

The Parties to the Transaction

The INEOS Group is a diversified global company, which is involved in the manufacture of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and other petroleum products, as well as in the exploration and production of oil and gas.

SASP Olympique Gymnaste Club de Nice Côte d’Azur is a professional sports company, created by the Association OGC Nice Côte d’Azur, to ensure the efficient management of all activities related to the participation of the professional...

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