Crystal Palace Appeals UEFA Europa League Demotion Over Multi-Club Ownership Dispute

Eppe Franklyne –

• Crystal Palace has formally appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against UEFA’s decision to demote them from the 2025/26 Europa League to the Conference League.

• The demotion was due to alleged breaches of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules involving John Textor, who holds stakes in both Palace and Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon).

• Palace argues Textor does not have decisive influence over their club and claims the demotion is a grave injustice.

• The appeal process will be expedited, with a ruling expected by August 11, 2025, ahead of European competition draws.

• Should the appeal fail, Nottingham Forest will replace Palace in the Europa League.

Crystal Palace has officially challenged UEFA’s decision to relegate them from the Europa League to the lower-tier Conference League in the 2025/26 season. The ruling, made by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), cited a violation of multi-club ownership regulations because John Textor, president of Eagle Football Group, holds controlling stakes in both Crystal Palace and French club Olympique Lyonnais—two clubs qualified for the same European competition.

While Lyon retains its Europa League spot due to their higher domestic league finish, Palace contends that Textor’s role does not amount to decisive control and views the demotion as an unfair penalty. Chairman Steve Parish described UEFA’s decision as “probably one of the greatest injustices in European football.”

The appeal, filed on July 21, 2025, requests annulment of the UEFA ruling and reinstatement of Palace in the Europa League, rejecting the inclusion of either Lyon or Nottingham Forest, the latter set to take Palace’s place if the appeal is unsuccessful. CAS has confirmed that the process will be expedited, with an operative decision—though without detailed grounds—expected by August 11, 2025.

This high-profile case highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing multi-club ownership rules and their impact on club participation in UEFA competitions. Palace’s pending appeal will determine their European fate ahead of the new season.