Crystal Palace denied Europa League by UEFA multi-ownership rules, face Conference League final

Crystal Palace’s historic FA Cup victory in May 2025, secured by Eberechi Eze’s single goal against Manchester City, initially seemed to grant them a coveted place in the Europa League. However, UEFA’s subsequent decision three weeks later informed the London club that their European participation would be limited to the Conference League. This ruling was a direct consequence of multi-ownership regulations, specifically concerning American businessman John Textor.

UEFA’s Multi-Ownership Stance

The core of the issue lies with John Textor, who acquired a 43% stake in Crystal Palace in 2021 and also controlled 93% of Olympique Lyon. According to Article 5 of UEFA’s regulations, an individual cannot exert decisive influence over more than one club participating in European competitions. Textor’s significant shareholdings and executive roles in both clubs, coupled with player movements between them, flagged a conflict of interest for UEFA’s Financial Control Committee.

Club Reassignments and Appeals

On July 11, the Committee ruled that Lyon would proceed to the Europa League based on their superior league position in Ligue 1. Consequently, Crystal Palace were relegated to the Conference League. Nottingham Forest, whose owner Evangelos Marinakis had reportedly alerted UEFA to the potential conflict, was promoted to the Europa League spot that Crystal Palace had earned. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish vehemently described the situation as “one of the greatest injustices ever in European football.” The club appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). After a ten-hour hearing on August 8, CAS dismissed the appeal three days later, citing that proof of Textor’s actual interference was not necessary; the mere potential for influence was sufficient to constitute an infringement. The sale of Textor’s stake to Woody Johnson, co-owner of the New York Jets, occurred too late, as UEFA’s evaluation date of March 1 had passed while Textor still held ownership in both clubs.

A Controversial European Campaign

Crystal Palace’s inaugural European campaign, beyond a brief appearance in the 1998 Intertoto Cup, began under a cloud of discontent, with fans expressing their displeasure through boos directed at the Conference League anthem and anti-UEFA chants. Despite the turbulent start, the team, managed by Oliver Glasner who had announced his departure at the end of the season, progressed through the tournament with notable efficiency. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the club’s first continental goal against Norway’s Fredrikstad. Notably, Eberechi Eze had already departed, having transferred to Arsenal for £67 million on the same day as the Fredrikstad match. The team overcame Zrinjski Mostar, AEK Larnaca in extra time, Fiorentina with a 4-2 aggregate victory, and Shakhtar Donetsk 5-2. Ismaïla Sarr emerged as a key player, finishing the knockout stage as the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals. His strike against Shakhtar Donetsk after just 21 seconds set a new record for the fastest goal in Conference League history.

A Final Against All Odds

This evening, the Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano will contest the first European final in their respective histories at the Leipzig Stadium. Both clubs, representing distinct working-class neighborhoods—South London for Palace and Vallecas for Rayo—find themselves in an unexpected European final, with Palace’s presence particularly noteworthy given the circumstances that led them to this competition. Glasner aims to secure a title to conclude his tenure, while the 38-year-old Iñigo Pérez seeks a victory to solidify his position. The final represents a match that Crystal Palace arguably should not be playing, yet they now have the opportunity to win it.

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Victoria FA Cup | Mayo de 2025 |
| Motivo de exclusión Europa League | Reglas de multipropiedad de la UEFA |
| Influencia clave | John Textor (Crystal Palace y Olympique Lyon) |
| Competición actual | Conference League |

This development highlights the complex intersection of club ownership, financial regulations, and sporting integrity in modern European football. For FootballGames10 readers, it underscores how off-field decisions can significantly impact a club’s on-field aspirations and European journey, offering a case study in the application of UEFA’s statutes.

Fuente: MARCA Futbol – https://www.marca.com/futbol/conference-league/2026/05/27/final-prohibida-crystal-palace.html

Datos clave