Crystal Palace Takes Europa League Fight To Court Of Arbitration For Sport

‎Crystal Palace has officially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after UEFA relegated them from the Europa League to the Conference League due to violations of multi-club ownership regulations.

‎The row comes down to UEFA’s rule that no individual or company can have decisive influence over more than one club competing in a European tournament.

‎John Textor, the American entrepreneur behind Eagle Football Group, holds substantial shares in both Crystal Palace and Lyon.

‎UEFA determined that Palace did not provide evidence of completing the ownership restructuring by the March 1st deadline.

‎As a result, Lyon remains in the Europa League, and Palace are set for the Conference League with Nottingham Forest taking their spot in Europe’s second-tier competition.

‎Crystal Palace is seeking to have UEFA’s decision overturned and to reclaim their Europa League spot. Doing so would mean replacing either Lyon or Nottingham Forest in the competition.

‎The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed that Palace is contesting for a place currently held by either Forest or Lyon.

‎The club maintains that Textor has never had decisive control at Selhurst Park.

‎Palace chairman Steve Parish previously told The Rest is Football podcast, “We know, unequivocally, that John (Textor) did not have decisive influence over the club.

‎”We know we proved that beyond all reasonable doubt because it is a fact.” UEFA, however, rejected Palace’s defence.

‎A final verdict is expected on or before August 11th, ahead of the Europa League group stage, which starts on September 24th.

‎If the appeal fails, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, will likely take Palace’s place in the Europa League.

‎The case has raised fresh questions about UEFA’s consistency in applying multi-club ownership rules.

‎Last year, Nottingham Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, met UEFA’s requirements by placing his interests in a blind trust, whereas Crystal Palace’s restructuring was considered inadequate.

‎John Textor has agreed to sell his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, but the transaction came too late to meet UEFA’s criteria.

‎The outcome of the appeal could have major implications for Crystal Palace and the enforcement of multi-club ownership rules in European football. It may set a precedent for how such regulations are applied to other clubs.

‎This could potentially affect the ownership structures of high-profile teams like Manchester City and Manchester United.