A UEFA panel has ruled that Crystal Palace will participate in the Europa Conference League next season, rather than the Europa League, citing violations of regulations concerning multi-club ownership.
This decision could potentially see Nottingham Forest take the Europa League spot originally allocated to the FA Cup winners, although Crystal Palace is anticipated to challenge the ruling made by the first chamber of UEFA`s club financial control body (CFCB). UEFA rules stipulate that two clubs competing in the same European competition cannot be under the same ownership entity, either wholly or above a specified threshold.
Eagle Football, the company controlled by American businessman John Textor, holds the largest share in Crystal Palace. Eagle Football also owns Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon), a French club that recently won its appeal to avoid relegation from Ligue 1 earlier this week. Lyon`s successful appeal confirmed their qualification for the Europa League through their league finish, forcing UEFA`s CFCB to address the ownership conflict. Had Lyon`s relegation been upheld, they would not have competed in Europe.
Crystal Palace argued that Textor did not exert significant influence over their club, but UEFA`s conclusion differed. Textor is reportedly in the process of selling his shares in Palace to Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, but this deal has not yet received approval from the Premier League. Additionally, Crystal Palace missed the March 1 deadline set for providing proof of restructuring related to multi-club ownership, although the club might point to the initial unlikelihood of their European qualification.
At that time, manager Oliver Glasner`s team was positioned 12th in the Premier League table and had just defeated Millwall 3-1 in the FA Cup fifth round on March 1. Securing their first major trophy would have required subsequent victories against Fulham away, followed by challenging matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.
Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, were initially set to play in the Conference League, but are now expected to fill the Europa League place vacated by Crystal Palace.
