Has UEFA Postponed Crystal Palace's Europa League Eligibility Decision?
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Synopsis
In a surprising turn of events, UEFA has delayed the decision on Crystal Palace's participation in the Europa League for the upcoming season. This decision raises questions about the club's future in European football amid ownership complexities and financial regulations. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into the implications of this delay.
Key Takeaways
- UEFA's decision on Crystal Palace is postponed.
- Multi-club ownership rules are under scrutiny.
- John Textor is selling his stake to resolve ownership conflicts.
- Olympique Lyonnais faces relegation and potential UEFA withdrawal.
- Crystal Palace won the FA Cup to qualify for Europe.
New Delhi, June 30 (NationPress) The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced that the ruling on Crystal Palace's eligibility to participate in the upcoming season's Europa League has been postponed.
The initial announcement was set for Monday, but uncertainty surrounds their inclusion due to UEFA's regulations on multi-club ownership.
Co-owner John Textor, who also has a stake in French club Lyon, has decided to divest his 44 percent ownership in Palace to bolster their position. As reported by the BBC, Textor has initiated a sale of his stake to Woody Johnson, the owner of the NFL team New York Jets.
Meanwhile, Olympique Lyonnais has faced relegation to Ligue 2 as mandated by French football's financial overseer, the DNCG, a ruling the club intends to contest.
"The CFCB (Club Financial Control Body) first chamber has opted to delay its evaluation of the multi-club ownership case involving Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.
This delay is linked to Olympique Lyonnais' adherence to the settlement agreement established with the CFCB due to breaches of financial sustainability standards," stated the governing body.
If their appeal fails, Lyonnais has indicated they will withdraw from the 2025-26 UEFA Club competitions.
As part of this agreement, Olympique Lyonnais consented to be excluded from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions if the DNCG confirms their relegation.
More information regarding this multi-club ownership situation and the settlement will be disclosed in the future," the statement noted.
Crystal Palace secured their spot in the UEFA Europa League by triumphing in the 2025 FA Cup, where they achieved a stunning victory over Manchester City in the final at Wembley Stadium, marking the club's inaugural major trophy.
In the recently concluded Premier League season, Palace finished in 12th place, with a record of 13 wins, 14 draws, and 9 losses across 38 matches.
Point of View
Our commitment is to present the facts surrounding Crystal Palace's potential participation in the Europa League. The delay by UEFA highlights crucial financial regulations and ownership issues that could affect the club's future. Our reporting remains steadfast and objective, focusing on the implications for both the club and its supporters.
NationPress
30/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted UEFA to delay the decision?
The delay is due to UEFA's regulations regarding multi-club ownership, particularly concerning co-owner John Textor's stake in both Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais.
Who is John Textor?
John Textor is the co-owner of Crystal Palace and also owns a stake in French club Olympique Lyonnais.
What are the stakes for Olympique Lyonnais?
Lyon has been relegated to Ligue 2 and is appealing the decision, which could affect their participation in future UEFA competitions.
How did Crystal Palace qualify for the Europa League?
Crystal Palace qualified for the UEFA Europa League by winning the 2025 FA Cup, defeating Manchester City in the final.
What will happen if Lyon's appeal fails?
If Lyon's appeal is unsuccessful, they have indicated they will withdraw from the 2025-26 UEFA Club competitions.
