Crystal Palace: Degradation into the Conference League shocked fans!

Crystal Palace: Degradation into the Conference League shocked fans!

Crystal Palace will not play in the Europa League in the coming season, but in the Conference League. The UEFA announced this decision on Friday. The reason for this degradation lies in the "Multi-Club Ownership" regulation, which says that an owner must not represent several clubs in European competitions at the same time. In this case, the "Eagle Football Group" is a majority owner of Olympique Lyon, which is qualified for the Europa League. John Textor, the head of the group, also holds shares in Crystal Palace, which led to the current situation.

Crystal Palace ended the Premier League in the 12th place, while Lyon successfully section with a 6th place in Ligue 1. Because of these placements, Lyon preferred and will therefore compete in the Europa League. Crystal Palace now has to prove itself in a playoff of the Conference League in August to move into the group phase. However, there is the possibility to object to this decision at the International Sports Court (CAS) in Lausanne.

international competition and legal challenges

This regulation is not new, but has only now been enforced rigorously. Crystal Palace had secured an international starting place for the first time through the FA Cup victory against Manchester City. If Lyon could not have risen due to applicable regulations, Crystal Palace might have had the chance of the Europa League. However, the situation is complicated by possible conflicts of ownership, even with the Danish club Brøndby, which the UEFA could clarify. The process for clarifying financial regulations was reorganized by UEFA to ensure that clubs are not represented by the same owners in European competitions at the same time.

These developments are in the context of a changing European football, in which over 300 clubs are involved in multi-club linking. American investors are driving this trend ahead, which raises concerns about the integrity of the game. Uefa warned that these possession structures increase the risk that clubs will meet with the same owners in direct competitions.

The future of Crystal Palace and UEFA regulations

Crystal Palace is now facing a new challenge; While the financial rewards in the Europa League are higher, the club must first survive the qualification round of the Conference League. Nottingham is now promoted in the meantime, provided that the objection of Crystal Palace is not successful. The new UEFA regulations require clubs to submit strict guidelines to maintain the integrity of their competitions.

Overall, the degradation of Crystal Palace could serve as a pioneer for future regulations in European football. UEFA has already taken measures against several American multi-club groups to secure competitive conditions and prevent possible collusions in the transfer market. The discussion about the effects of these rules will surely stop while fans in different countries act against the practices of American investors.