Crystal Palace have been told they will play in the Conference League, rather than the Europa League, this season. Despite winning the FA Cup, Palace will not get into the competition that offers the winners direct passage into the Champions League the following year. The Eagles went to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) ordered them to drop into Europe’s third-tier tournament.
That is because they did not have arrangements in place before a March 1 deadline to comply with multi-club ownership restrictions. That deadline came well before Palace won the FA Cup and earned qualification. They appealed the decision and went to CAS, but The Times report they ruled today that Palace’s legal battle has ended in defeat and they will not be reinstated into the Europa League.
Instead, Palace must enter the Conference League qualifying round. Nottingham Forest will play in the Europa League in their place, having originally qualified for the Conference League via their Premier League finish last season.
The governing body ruled that John Textor – a Palace co-owner – held influence over the decision-making at Selhurst Park.
Textor owns a stake in Lyon, who, like Palace, qualified for the 2025/26 edition of the Europa League. However, as per UEFA rules, two clubs in the same multi-club ownership model can’t compete in the same European competition, with Palace demoted because they finished lower in their respective league.
Palace have denied any interference from Textor throughout. But they have lost their battle and will now be denied the glamour of Europa League football and also the added finances of playing in the tournament.
It is claimed the decision could cost the London club around £20million due to the difference in prize money available in the Europa League compared to the Conference League.
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