According to Martyn Ziegler from The Times, Crystal Palace Football Club has officially lost their appeal against UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League for the 2025-26 season.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced the verdict today, upholding UEFA’s ruling that the club breached multi-club ownership regulations due to American businessman John Textor’s stakes in both Crystal Palace and Ligue 1 side Lyon. The decision marks a significant setback for the Eagles, who had earned a Europa League spot after their historic FA Cup victory in May 2025.
EXCLUSIVE: Crystal Palace understood to have lost appeal to CAS against UEFA ruling that they must play in Europa Conference League instead of Europa League. It means Nottingham Forest will play in EL.
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) August 11, 2025
Confirmation expected at 1130.
Full story:https://t.co/KFTnpIWLN6
Background of the Dispute
Crystal Palace secured their place in the Europa League by defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, marking the club’s first major domestic trophy. However, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) ruled in July that Palace violated multi-club ownership rules, as Textor held a 43.9% stake in Palace and a controlling interest in Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. UEFA regulations prohibit any individual or entity from holding significant influence over multiple clubs in the same competition, with a deadline of March 1, 2025, to demonstrate compliance through ownership restructuring. Palace failed to meet this deadline, leading to their demotion to the Conference League, with Nottingham Forest taking their Europa League spot.
The club, led by chairman Steve Parish, launched a robust appeal to CAS, arguing that Textor had no decisive influence over Palace’s operations and that the club was unfairly singled out compared to other multi-club ownership cases, such as Manchester City and Girona or Manchester United and Nice. Palace also highlighted that Textor had agreed to sell his stake to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson for £190m, though the transaction came too late to satisfy UEFA’s requirements. Despite presenting legal documents suggesting the compliance deadline was April 30 rather than March 1, CAS upheld UEFA’s decision, citing the strict application of the March 1 deadline.
Impact on Crystal Palace
The demotion to the Conference League, UEFA’s third-tier competition, is a significant blow for Palace, both financially and competitively. The club stands to lose up to £20m in revenue, as the Europa League offers substantially higher financial rewards. Palace now face a two-legged Conference League play-off against either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland later this month, with the first leg scheduled for August 21. A failure to qualify could further disrupt their European ambitions.
Manager Oliver Glasner, who had expressed confidence in the appeal, now faces the challenge of preparing the squad for the Conference League while maintaining focus on the upcoming Premier League season. The club’s first home match, coincidentally against Nottingham Forest on August 24, is likely to carry added tension given Forest’s role in reporting Palace’s ownership breach to UEFA.
The ruling may also complicate Palace’s transfer plans. The club has been linked with moves for a centre-back, central midfielder, and forward, but the reduced revenue and prestige of the Conference League could make it harder to retain key players like Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who have attracted interest from bigger clubs. Glasner acknowledged the need for reinforcements, stating, “We’re looking for clear profiles, great characters, to maintain the spirit and togetherness in the group.”
Reaction from the Club and Supporters
Chairman Steve Parish, who described the initial demotion as “one of the greatest injustices in the history of European football,” expressed profound disappointment at the CAS verdict. “We’re devastated for our supporters, players, and staff,” Parish said in a statement. “This is a dream stolen from us, despite our compelling case and the fact that we’ve proven no meaningful influence existed from Textor. We will regroup and focus on making our mark in the Conference League, but this ruling undermines the spirit of fair competition.”
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who had argued that the demotion would “devalue” the Europa League, echoed Parish’s sentiments. “We won the FA Cup on the pitch, and that should mean something,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s gutting for everyone at the club, especially the fans who were so excited for Europe.”
What’s Next for Palace?
With the appeal lost, Crystal Palace must now shift their focus to the Conference League. The competition, while less prestigious, offers a winnable opportunity for a club of Palace’s calibre, as noted by some observers who suggest the lighter schedule of six group-stage matches could suit the squad’s adaptation to European football. However, the financial and reputational gap between the Europa League and Conference League remains a bitter pill to swallow.
The club could explore legal avenues to claim compensation, potentially targeting Textor or UEFA in European courts, though no official plans have been confirmed. For now, Palace are preparing for their Premier League opener and the Conference League play-offs, determined to channel their frustration into success on the pitch.
As the Eagles navigate this challenging period, the CAS decision serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of modern football’s ownership rules and the high stakes of European competition. For Palace fans, the dream of Europa League football has been deferred, but their resolve to support their team remains unshaken.
