On the evening of Tuesday 15th July, the streets of South London echoed with the chants and fervor of hundreds of Crystal Palace supporters, united in their outrage over UEFA’s decision to demote their club from the Europa League to the Conference League. The protest, organized by the passionate Holmesdale faithful, saw fans march from Norwood Clocktower to Selhurst Park, brandishing banners, igniting red flares, and even graffiting the stadium walls with messages like “UEFA mafia.” This visceral display of anger was not just about a footballing decision but a broader stand against what fans perceive as the growing disconnect between the sport’s governing bodies and its supporters.
The Spark of the Protest
Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup triumph in May 2025, a 1-0 victory over Manchester City, secured their first major trophy and a coveted spot in the 2025-26 Europa League. For a club that has never competed in a major European competition, this was a moment of immense pride, a dream realized for a fanbase that has endured years of near-misses and financial struggles. However, that dream was shattered when UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) ruled on 11th July that Palace had breached multi-club ownership regulations, demoting them to the Conference League.
More About the Multi-Club Ownership
The issue stemmed from American businessman John Textor’s ownership stakes in both Crystal Palace and French club Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in Ligue 1. UEFA’s rules prohibit clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same competition if one individual or entity exerts significant influence over both. Despite Textor’s efforts to sell his 43% stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and resign from his leadership role at Lyon, UEFA deemed these actions too late, as they missed the 1st March deadline for restructuring ownership. Lyon’s higher league position gave them precedence, leaving Palace relegated to the third-tier Conference League
What’s Next?
Crystal Palace is expected to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), though precedents, such as the exclusion of Mexican club León from the Club World Cup due to similar ownership issues, suggest a challenging road ahead. Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, are poised to take Palace’s Europa League spot, pending the outcome of the appeal. UEFA has yet to confirm Forest’s promotion, awaiting the CAS ruling.
