A UEFA panel has recommended that Crystal Palace be denied entry to the Europa League for next season due to breaches of rules regarding multi-club ownership. The club is now expected to participate in the third-tier Conference League but plans to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Originally, Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup in May, marking the first major trophy in the club’s history with a memorable goal from Eberechi Eze against Manchester City. However, UEFA’s regulations stipulate that no individual or entity can possess control over more than one club in UEFA competitions to ensure the integrity of the tournaments. The issue arises from the ownership structure involving Eagle Football, which holds a 43% stake in Crystal Palace and is controlled by John Textor, who also has a majority share in French club Lyon, that has qualified for European competition.
Palace’s general partners presented their case to UEFA on June 3, but their appeal was rejected. Textor has since agreed to sell his share in Palace to Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, pending ratification by the Premier League.
The announcement of this decision has drawn parallels to Palace’s history, where they previously missed out on European competition after a successful season due to a ban on English teams. Many fans lament the sense of injustice over being sidelined from a tournament earned through merit. The club’s move to the Conference League is seen as a consolation, albeit a lesser achievement compared to their legitimate aspirations for the Europa League.
This decision could prompt changes in future investments for the club, as they aim to clarify their ownership structure and avoid similar pitfalls. Although Palace’s situation has faced challenges, the upcoming appeal provides a glimmer of hope for their future ambitions in European football. If the appeal is successful, it might restore their rightful place in the Europa League, allowing them to compete at a higher level and continue building on their recent successes.