UEFA has demoted FA Cup champions Crystal Palace from the UEFA Europa League to the UEFA Conference League after ruling that the club violated its multi-club ownership rules. Nottingham Forest are now in line to take Palace’s spot in the Europa League, pending a final verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The European football body found that Crystal Palace breached regulations prohibiting clubs with shared ownership or decisive influence from competing in the same UEFA tournament. The issue stems from American businessman John Textor, who holds significant stakes in both Crystal Palace and French club Lyon.
Textor was given until March 1 to resolve the ownership conflict but only recently agreed to sell his shares in the Premier League side to U.S. billionaire Woody Johnson. UEFA, however, ruled that the deal came too late to meet compliance deadlines.
Interestingly, Lyon—who also faced scrutiny—escaped punishment after successfully appealing their relegation from Ligue 1, thereby remaining eligible for European competition this season.
Crystal Palace has confirmed its intention to challenge UEFA’s ruling at CAS, hoping to overturn the decision and reclaim their Europa League spot.
