Crystal Palace has officially been denied entry into the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League, following a ruling from European football’s governing body, UEFA. The decision, communicated to the club on July 11, 2025, cited a breach of the multi-club ownership criteria specified in Article 5.01 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations. As a result, Palace will instead compete in the UEFA Conference League, a significantly less prestigious tournament.
The announcement has left the club and its supporters reeling, especially after they celebrated winning the FA Cup—marking the first major trophy in their history—just weeks earlier, on May 17. The joy of that victory has now faded into frustration and disappointment. Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his dismay, labeling the ruling a “terrible injustice” and a “ridiculous technicality.” He stated, “This is the dream. (But) someone said to me it’s like winning the lottery and going to the counter, but you don’t win the prize.”
Ownership Complications Lead to UEFA Sanctions
Palace finished the Premier League season in 12th place, securing their Europa League qualification through their FA Cup victory. However, complications arose when Paris Saint-Germain won the Coupe de France, which altered the allocation of European competition spots for French clubs. The sixth-placed team in France, Lyon, was granted a Europa League slot instead of the cup winners, as they had already qualified for the Champions League.
The issue for Palace stems from their ownership structure. John Textor, a majority owner of Lyon through Eagle Football, holds a 43 percent stake in Crystal Palace. According to UEFA’s regulations, clubs that have overlapping ownership cannot compete in the same tournament. Consequently, Lyon was awarded Palace’s intended Europa League position.
Parish argued that Textor does not exert decisive influence over Palace, emphasizing that the club’s decisions are made collectively by the four general partners, each with equal voting rights. He lamented, “John and Eagle Football didn’t have decisive influence (over Palace). It’s an incredible travesty of justice.”
Legal Action on the Horizon
In response to UEFA’s ruling, Crystal Palace has signaled its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While the club remains hopeful, there is a sense of realism regarding the potential for a successful outcome. Parish stated, “We’re devastated for the players, the fans and the staff. It’s a bad day for football.”
The club’s ownership saga has been tumultuous since Textor joined Palace in 2021. Initially aiming for a controlling stake, he eventually acquired 40 percent. His relationship with the club has been strained, marked by ongoing attempts to sell his stake while simultaneously seeking greater influence over Palace as a flagship team for Eagle Football.
Throughout this period, UEFA has enforced stricter regulations regarding multi-club ownership. The updated rules, communicated to clubs earlier this year, prohibit any individual or entity from having decisive control over multiple teams competing in UEFA-sanctioned tournaments. Parish noted that the notification of these changes had initially gone unnoticed by the club, leading to further complications.
Despite the setbacks, Palace’s management is determined to explore every possible avenue to contest UEFA’s decision, which they view as a gross injustice. A club statement affirmed their commitment to pursue a fair resolution and indicated that legal advice would be sought in preparation for the appeal process.
As the situation unfolds, Crystal Palace’s supporters and stakeholders await the next developments, hoping for a pathway back to the Europa League.