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Crisis at Crystal Palace: Europa League exclusion threatens!
Crystal Palace are facing exclusion from the Europa League due to multiple ownership rules. UEFA will decide by June 17th.
Crisis at Crystal Palace: Europa League exclusion threatens!
Crystal Palace have qualified for European competition for the first time after a historic FA Cup victory over Manchester City. However, this success comes with a problem: the club faces the possibility of being excluded from the UEFA Europa League. The reason for this threat lies in the co-ownership of John Textor, who also holds majority shares in French club Olympique Lyon. How laola1.at According to UEFA regulations, several clubs participating in European competitions at the same time cannot be under the influence of the same investor.
Textor, who also owns a 43% stake in Crystal Palace, is trying to sell his shares and insists he does not have a decisive influence on the club. Nevertheless, the situation for Crystal Palace is tense as a solution must be found by June 17th to secure participation in the Europa League. If participation is not possible, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, could take the Europa League place, while Brighton Hove & Albion, who finished eighth, could be relegated to the Conference League.
The challenges for Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace plans to appeal to UEFA to be able to take part in the Europa League. The team that won the FA Cup in May automatically qualified for the competition. Eberechi Eze scored the decisive goal in the final against Manchester City. Palace's general partners, including Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer, will meet with UEFA officials to clarify the situation. Textor controls Eagle Football, which owns 88% of Lyon, further complicating the situation.
UEFA has dealt with similar cases and made exceptions in the past, such as for Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig as well as Girona and Manchester City. On March 1, 2025, the deadline for reporting such multi-club ownership had passed, further weakening Crystal Palace's position. Lyon have still been placed in the Europa League after finishing sixth in Ligue 1, as Paris Saint-Germain were promoted to the Champions League.
Context on multiple ownership regulations
UEFA regulations, which prohibit owners from simultaneously influencing multiple clubs in the same competitions, apply strictly. The association decided in July 2023 that multiple clubs with common majority owners would not be allowed to take part in the same European tournaments. Approvals have been granted, for example, for AC Milan and FC Toulouse, both of which are controlled by RedBird Capital. Brighton Hove & Albion, which ultimately belonged to Tony Bloom, also fell under these regulations.
The increasing takeover of several clubs by investors has caused concern among many critics, such as Ronan Evain of Football Supporters Europe. Critics warn of the dangers of manipulation and market distortion in European football, which in turn could endanger the basis of competition. UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has stressed that a discussion about the regulations is necessary to protect the integrity of the competition.
As Crystal Palace continue to fight for their future in the Europa League, it remains to be seen how UEFA will respond to the arguments raised and the complicated situation surrounding John Textor. The next steps could be crucial for the club and the entire European football community.