Palace lose appeal against demotion from Europa League

Crystal Palace have lost their appeal against being demoted from the Europa League and will play in the Conference League this season.

The ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) also means Nottingham Forest’s spot in the Europa League is confirmed, having been promoted in Palace’s place.

The news comes just a day after Palace beat Liverpool on penalties to win the Community Shield at Wembley.

The Eagles qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last season but were punished by Uefa for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

American businessman John Textor owned a 43% stake in the club until he sold it in June and is the majority owner of Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League.

Palace had until 1 March 2025 to show Uefa proof of multi-club ownership restructuring, but the club missed that deadline.

In July, Palace submitted an appeal to Cas against Uefa – which issued the punishment – as well as Lyon and Nottingham Forest.

In the ruling, Cas said:

Uefa rules state clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European tournament.

Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa did not accept the Premier League side’s defence.

17 May – Palace beat Manchester City in FA Cup final to secure place in Europa League

10 June – Forest express concerns over Palace’s Europa League place and ask Uefa for clarity

23 June – Textor sells 43% stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson

30 June – Textor resigns from leadership position on board at Lyon

11 July – Uefa rule Palace should be demoted to Conference League

22 July – Palace submit appeal to Cas against demotion from Europa League

Uefa regulations around multi-club ownership and European competitions are in place to prevent collusion.

In the governing body’s rulebook, a club is required to prove they are not “simultaneously involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition”.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also controls Greek side Olympiakos, avoided regulations around multi-club ownership by diluting his control of the Premier League side.