Crystal Palace's UEFA row takes last-minute twist with Premier League club facing Europa League ban
Crystal Palace may be handed a lifeline and avoid being ‘banned’ from European competition by UEFA if one thing happens.
Crystal Palace initially qualified for the 2025/26 Europa League after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final back in May.
However, it later emerged that their participation in the competition was in danger as they could breach UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.
The issue relates to John Textor’s involvement with both Palace and Ligue 1 club Lyon, also set to take part in the competition.
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UEFA regulations are in place to “ensure the integrity of the UEFA club competitions (i.e. UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League)”.
The rules make clear that “No one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition”.
If Palace were essentially demoted to the Conference League, they would face a similar issue, as Brondby's majority shareholder, David Blitzer, also co-owns the Premier League club.
So, if they were ‘banned’, this would likely see Nottingham Forest promoted to the Europa League, while Brighton would enter the Conference League.
On Tuesday (June 10), BBC Sport reported that Forest have “issued their reservations to UEFA”.
But Palace could be handed a lifeline after all.
The Athletic reports that “a consortium of sport and entertainment executives, which includes the NBA star Jimmy Butler, is expected to make an offer in excess of $200million to purchase Eagle Football’s 43 per cent stake in Premier League soccer club Crystal Palace”.
Sources have suggested the New York Jets owner has also made an offer but has yet to meet Textor’s valuation.
If the U.S. consortium does purchase Textor’s 43 percent stake in Palace, it would still remain to be seen whether the takeover would be approved by the Premier League and UEFA, or whether a deal could be struck before European football's governing body make a final decision on the Eagles’ participation in European competition.
Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol issued an update on the situation on Wednesday (June 11), via his X account.
He wrote: "Crystal Palace are working closely and collaboratively with UEFA to end the uncertainty about their place in next season’s Europa League.
"Palace are in constant communication with UEFA in order to satisfy them that US businessman John Textor does not have decisive influence over the running of the club.
"UEFA are believed to be sympathetic to Palace's plight and are working with them to find a solution to the problem.
"UEFA recognise the benefit of having Palace in the Europa League next season after they qualified by winning the FA Cup - the first major trophy in their history - last month.
"UEFA want domestic leagues and cups to be competitive and to keep the romance alive of a team like Palace winning the FA Cup and going on to play European football for the first time in their history."
Topics: Crystal Palace, Europa League, UEFA, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies