Lawyers are warning that any form of joint management conferring decisive influence to a buyer *before* approval from the European Commission violates EU law. This concerns the "standstill" obligation, a key principle in European competition regulations. The rule aims to prevent premature integration of companies while antitrust reviews are ongoing. Implementing co-management before Brussels gives the green light could jeopardize future approvals. Experts emphasize that even informal influence can be problematic. This breach could lead to significant fines and legal challenges for involved parties. Essentially, companies must maintain operational separation until regulators complete their assessment.