Crystal Palace will now compete in the UEFA Europa Conference League instead of the Europa League next season, following a ruling by UEFA citing a breach of multi-club ownership regulations.
The decision comes after an investigation into Eagle Football Holdings, the company chaired by American businessman John Textor, which has controlling interests in both Crystal Palace and French side Olympique Lyonnais.
UEFA regulations prohibit two clubs under shared ownership or significant influence from playing in the same European competition.
Palace had qualified for the Europa League after their FA Cup triumph, despite finishing 12th in the Premier League. However, Lyon, who placed sixth in Ligue 1 and also qualified for the Europa League, were prioritized due to their higher league finish.
UEFA had set a deadline of March 1, 2025 for clubs to restructure any conflicting ownership ties. Palace failed to meet that requirement and unsuccessfully argued that Textor does not exert “decisive influence” over the club’s operations.
Palace’s demotion paves the way for Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, to move up into the Europa League spot. Palace will instead drop into the Conference League, taking Forest’s previous place.
Earlier in the week, Lyon successfully overturned a financial-related demotion from Ligue 1, a decision which also played a part in UEFA’s final ruling.
Had Lyon remained relegated, an agreement with UEFA would have seen them excluded from European competition, allowing Palace to keep their Europa League berth.
With Aston Villa already securing one of England’s two Europa League slots after finishing sixth, the reshuffle means England’s continental representation remains unchanged in number; but not in identity.
Palace still have the option to appeal UEFA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
