In a dramatic turn of events, Crystal Palace’s appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has been officially rejected, confirming the club will not participate in the Europa League next season.
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This ruling solidifies their scheduled placement in the UEFA Europa Conference League for the 2025/26 campaign.
CAS Upholds UEFA Decision: ECBR’s Ruling Stand Firm
Crystal Palace, who earned their Europa League place by winning the FA Cup, had been demoted by UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules. At the heart of the issue was John Textor, whose Eagle Football Holdings controlled significant stakes in both Palace and Ligue 1 side Olympique Lyonnais—both of which qualified for European competition.
Palace missed the March 1 restructuring deadline, and their argument—that Textor held no “decisive influence”—failed to convince UEFA. The CAS appeal, lodged just days later, sought to overturn the decision, pushing for Palace to be reinstated. However, after a closed-door hearing, CAS dismissed the appeal, deeming the UEFA ruling valid and enforceable.
Nottingham Forest to Step In — Palace Falls to Conference League
As a direct result of the appeal’s failure, Crystal Palace will now compete in the UEFA Conference League, beginning in the playoff stage. In their place, Nottingham Forest, who qualified via their seventh-place Premier League finish, will take the Europa League slot.
The timing is tight: the Conference League playoff draw looms, with a tie scheduled for August 21 and 28, followed by the Europa League group stage beginning in late September. Palace have minimal time to prepare for this new trajectory.
Reactions Across the Board: Shock, Disbelief, and Determination
The ruling was met with dismay at Selhurst Park. Chairman Steve Parish had described the initial UEFA decision as “one of the greatest injustices in the history of European football.” Supporters live-streamed protests outside the club headquarters, expressing frustration over what they viewed as an unfair, technical disqualification.
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Despite the setback, the club has yet to announce formal next steps. Sources suggest Palace are considering legal advice to determine whether any further action or compensation claims are viable. However, for now, they must refocus their attention on the Conference League.
Implications for Club and Regulations
This landmark ruling serves as a stark reminder of UEFA’s tightening grip on multi-club ownership, particularly in the European competition landscape. The principle is now firmly enforced: no individual may hold decisive power in multiple clubs competing in the same European tournament.
For Palace, the decision erases their moment of European triumph. For Nottingham Forest, it opens a pathway to more lucrative and higher-profile fixtures. Meanwhile, Lyon maintain their Europa League admission, given their higher league finish and legal compliance.
Crystal Palace’s failed CAS appeal has changed the club’s trajectory for the upcoming season. While disappointment is expected, the club now enters a new chapter in the Conference League, with a chance to rewrite the narrative through performance and resilience.
Fans will be watching closely, hoping for redemption and renewed European pride—this time, in a different competition entirely.
