Crystal Palace have expressed deep frustration after losing their appeal against demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League.
After winning the FA Cup last season, Palace had qualified for Europe’s secondary competition but were sanctioned by UEFA for breaching multi-club ownership rules. The Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with UEFA on Monday, upholding the decision.
Palace said it was almost impossible to receive a fair hearing, adding that the decision undermines sporting merit and favors certain clubs and individuals with undue influence. The club argued that this uneven application of rules has shattered the hopes and dreams of their supporters and sets a concerning precedent for aspirational teams across Europe.
As they prepare to compete in the Conference League, Palace will continue to seek legal advice on possible next steps. Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, have been promoted to the Europa League in Palace’s place.
Palace highlighted the complications of multi-club structures, noting that while clubs with connections can still participate in competitions, teams without affiliations, like theirs, face exclusion. The Eagles missed the March 1 deadline to provide UEFA proof of multi-club ownership restructuring. American businessman John Textor, who owned a 43% stake in Palace and is the majority owner of Lyon, still held decisive influence over both clubs at the time of UEFA’s assessment. CAS also dismissed Palace’s claim that they received unfair treatment compared to Nottingham Forest and Lyon.
There is precedent for UEFA sanctioning teams for multi-club ownership breaches. Irish Premier Division side Drogheda were expelled from Europe due to their association with Danish side Silkeborg, which also qualified for the Conference League.
Palace stated that UEFA’s decision has broader implications for governance in football and emphasized the need for clear rules, consistent sanctions, and fair appeal processes. They highlighted that similar rulings will face greater scrutiny from national courts in the future.
The Eagles are set to face either Norwegian side Fredrikstad or Danish side Midtjylland in the Conference League play-off round later this month.
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