Hearts speak out on UEFA, Brighton and Tony Bloom's shareholding ahead of Conference League ties
European football will be in Edinburgh until Christmas.
Hearts have been assured by European football’s governing body, UEFA, that Tony Bloom’s investment won’t hamper their continental ambitions.
Reports had emerged that UEFA were looking into Tynecastle investor Bloom’s involvement with Hearts, Brighton and Hove Albion and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, but the Premiership club have reassured fans. Bloom owns less than 30 per cent of Hearts and USG but is the majority shareholder at Premier League club Brighton.
Ties are not official between the clubs and the use of Jamestown Analytics recruitment data is separate. Bloom is steadfast that he is not in breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules and he made it clear upon investing £9.86m into Hearts during 2025 that the Gorgie side’s European participation would not be impacted by his interests elsewhere. Hearts and Brighton could now draw each other in the Conference League after both made the league phase.
Why can Hearts and Brighton both play in the Conference League?
English Premier League side Crystal Palace were forced to relinquish their place in this season’s Europa League because they did not comply with multi-club ownership rules. UEFA demoted them to the Conference League because, at the time, their majority shareholder, John Textor, was also the majority owner of French club Lyon - who were also in the Europa.
The difference with Bloom is that he is only a minority shareholder in Hearts and USG, as well as being Brighton’s chairman and majority owner. He held detailed talks with UEFA last year to clarify that there is no conflict between the clubs when it comes to European football. Hearts explained the situation earlier this year and stressed that all the legalities of Bloom’s investment deal at Tynecastle Park were carefully considered.
A Hearts spokesperson said at the time: “We note the press relating to the possibility of Hearts and Brighton qualifying for the same UEFA competition. 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.”
Hearts have battled their way to the Conference League after starting out their European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers. They endured a tough draw against Austrian side Sturm Graz before elimination from the Europa League against Portuguese giants Benfica. Upon their return to Austria in the Conference League play-offs versus Rapid Vienna, Hearts achieved victory, winning on penalty kicks at the Allianz Stadion after a 4-4 draw over two legs. Brighton meanwhile thrashed Norwegian side Tromso 4-0 after a 0-0 first leg draw in Scandinavia during their play-off encounter. The league phase draw takes place on Friday ahead of Hearts’ return to league business at Tynecastle against St Johnstone this Saturday.