UEFA Hits Crystal Palace With Fresh Sanction After Europa League Demotion

Crystal Palace have been handed a fresh punishment by UEFA following their demotion from the Europa League.

Palace qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last season.

But The Eagles were removed from the Europa League and placed into the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

Palace appealed the decision against being demoted from the Europa League but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the verdict, which saw Nottingham Forest replace them in the competition.

Oliver Glasner's team began their Conference League campaign with a play-off against Norwegian side Fredrikstad.

They won the two-legged affair 1-0 on aggregate, having beaten their counterparts 1-0 in the first-leg at Selhurst Park.

During the fixture in August, Palace fans unveiled a banner with 'UEFA MAFIA' written on the European football governing body's logo along with a Euro symbol.

Crystal Palace have been fined for their 'UEFA MAFIA' banner. Image: Getty

The same banner was also seen at Wembley Stadium during the Community Shield game against Liverpool and at Stamford Bridge for their Premier League opener against Chelsea.

UEFA have taken action against Palace, issuing a fine of €10,000 (£8,670).

Palace received the sanction for bringing the UEFA into disrepute and transmitting a message that is not fit for a sports event under the governing body's regulations.

The 'UEFA MAFIA' banner was also on display at Wembley Stadium for the Community Shield. Image: Getty

Palace booked their spot in the group phase of the Conference League following their win over Fredrikstad, with Glasner hailing his side's 'huge achievement'.

"It is a huge achievement to go into the group stage," he said. "It was our second goal of the season and we have achieved that by the end of August which is great.

"The first one was winning the Community Shield - which we did - and now, with all of the noise of being demoted to the Conference League, we have done that too.

"We defended excellently and did not give them a chance but on the other side, we know we can and have to play better in possession, but overall it’s important be in the group stage."

Palace face Dynamo Kiev, AEK Larnaca, AZ Alkmaar, Strasbourg, Shelbourne and Kuopion Palloseura in the Conference League group phase.