Archive July 1, 2025

Crystal Palace have grown increasingly exasperated at the delay in Uefa’s ruling over their Europa League future and feel they are being unfairly treated, BBC Sport understands.

Well-placed sources have indicated the south London club will also almost certainly launch a legal fight against any decision to ban them from the competition next season.

There are frustrations at Selhurst Park that the delay in ruling whether Palace have breached multi-club ownership (MCO) rules in relation to American businessman John Textor’s involvement at Palace and Lyon is aiding the French club’s fight to stay in next season’s Europa League at the expense of the Eagles.

Uefa were due to reveal on 27 June whether Palace were cleared to play – but the decision was put back to this week.

On Monday, the governing body confirmed a final decision would be postponed until Lyon’s domestic appeal against their relegation from the French top flight.

Despite their enforced relegation, Lyon can currently compete in European competitions next season.

However, if the French football authorities uphold Lyon’s demotion into Ligue 2, Lyon would relinquish their licence to play in Uefa competition – paving the way for Palace to play in the Europa League.

Uefa’s decision to wait is believed to have annoyed members of Palace’s hierarchy, who feel the club are being unfairly treated because of their lack of pedigree at European level.

Textor – who owns Eagle Football Holdings, which currently owns stakes in Palace and Lyon – announced his decision to step down from his leadership roles at Lyon on Monday.

The restructure of the board at Lyon is expected to aid the French club’s hopes of overturning their domestic relegation.

Well-placed sources have also suggested to BBC Sport that Lyon are open to selling a number of their players to raise funds to ease their current financial problems.

It is not lost on Palace officials that the deal to sell Textor’s 43% stake in Palace to American businessman Woody Johnson last week – a transaction worth in the region of £190m – may have contributed to easing Lyon’s financial plight.

It is important to stress Uefa have no jurisdiction over Lyon’s relegation appeal.

In their view, Palace are one of the most well-run sides, financially, in England. Their clean track record in terms of staying the right side of financial regulations indicative of their prudency.

The fact Lyon’s financial state is so chaotic they have provisionally been demoted from the top league is not lost on figures at Palace.

Nor is the irony of the Premier League side losing their place in the Europa League to Lyon given the juxtaposition between their respective balance sheets.

For the time being, Palace’s European fate appears to be in the hands of the French football governance system.

Whether Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2 is now upheld remains to be seen amid a feeling that doing so would devalue the French top flight.

There are varying levels of scepticism as to whether there is a will in France to forcibly remove one their most prestigious clubs from the top flight given the uncertainty surrounding it’s TV revenue.

There were reports in May that sports broadcaster DAZN terminated its five-year domestic broadcast contract with France’s Professional Football League (LFP) for Ligue 1 after just one season.

DAZN paid a reported 400m euros for the domestic rights over five years. In contrast, in 2023, the Premier League received £6. 7bn for a four-year contract – which starts next season – for Sky and TNT to show up to 270 live games a season.

After suffering a shock defeat against Al-Hilal in the last 16 of the United States, Manchester City are returning from the Club World Cup.

The squad will return to Manchester on Tuesday night, abruptly bringing a tournament that had promised so much but ended up with a stunning upset.

We have traveled extensively together and are in good health. Manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport, “The vibe was really good.

However, we leave and head home, so we can now unwind and recharge.

Their Club World Cup hopes were shattered on Monday night, but City’s Florida base’s sunny climate gave the impression that the team had been so disappointing this season.

All of the new signings had a significant impact on the tournament, and Tijjani Reijnders, a Dutchman, will certainly bring much-needed enthusiasm and enthusiasm to the midfield.

There are significant issues at the other end of the pitch, but France international Rayan Cherki made a brilliant assist in the group stages against Al-Hilal.

Although Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has been criticized for his defensive prowess, there are doubts about his ability to defend the country after being occasionally criticized against the Saudis.

Although City managed to squander it in the group stages, the square peg in a round hole was glaringly obvious once faced with respectable opposition.

Before the tournament, sources had not excluded the possibility of the club making a move for a new right-back, so it’s still to be seen if one is made.

Guardiola also needs to address the defense’s lack of pace, with the two central defenders appearing particularly slow when attempting to retake the speedy Al-Hilal forwards.

The Spanish manager has made it clear that he needs to reduce his squad before the new year, and there may be uncertainty about John Stones’ future, who was the only outfield player to miss the trip.

Meanwhile, it’s still to be seen if midfielder Rodri, who was sidelined most of the season, has suffered a setback.

Even though City lost out on extra prize money with their last-16 exit, the Club World Cup has been a lucrative experience for all those involved.

City, who was the only team to win all three of their games, will leave the US with roughly $ 37.8 million in their bank account. They will also earn the most in the group stage.

That includes “sporting and commercial criteria” and a participation fee, which is thought to be around £27.9 million.

If Guardiola’s team had advanced to the quarter-finals, they would have won an additional $9.5 million in prize money, with an additional $58.8 million in prize money if they had triumphed.

One of those transfers has already been paid for by City, who paid £31 million for Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri and £35 million for Lyon forward Cherki, who scored in their 5-2 victory over Al Ain.

Manchester City’s squad now has a chance to recharge before the new season, if there is any consolation.

City has now won 61 games in a season since Guardiola took over as manager in August, which is their highest total total since then.

In the Conference League from 2024 to 2025, Chelsea had the luxury of fielding significantly different line-ups domestically.

Four of the 15 outfield players currently playing for Premier League clubs have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons, including four from Manchester City, who have a smaller squad.

They are new signing Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101).

Additionally, that quartet continued to play international football with the exception of Gundogan, who was a regular starter for their country at Euro 2024.

A season that began 325 days ago, with the Community Shield against Manchester United on August, came to an end with Al-Hilal’s defeat.

City’s lowest total since 2008-09, with 17 losses overall, which is at least five more than in any other season since Guardiola’s appointment.

City’s 131 goals were scored in 61 games, but their Club World Cup exit defensive errors have grown more frequent.

Before returning to the club to begin the pre-season, City players will take a four-week break before returning.

After three weeks in the USA, it will be interesting to see what plans are put in place for friendly competitions before the new campaign.

Will City Football Academy play domestic games against it to maintain its lightness? Could they make a quick trip to Europe?

After suffering a shock defeat against Al-Hilal in the last 16 of the United States, Manchester City are returning from the Club World Cup.

The squad will return to Manchester on Tuesday night, abruptly bringing a tournament that had promised so much but ended up with a stunning upset.

We have traveled extensively together and are in good health. Manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport, “The vibe was really good.

However, we leave and head home, so we can now unwind and recharge.

Their Club World Cup hopes were shattered on Monday night, but City’s Florida base’s sunny climate gave the impression that the team had been so disappointing this season.

All of the new signings had a significant impact on the tournament, and Tijjani Reijnders, a Dutchman, will certainly bring much-needed enthusiasm and enthusiasm to the midfield.

There are significant issues at the other end of the pitch, but France international Rayan Cherki made a brilliant assist in the group stages against Al-Hilal.

Although Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri has been criticized for his defensive prowess, there are doubts about his ability to defend the country after being occasionally criticized against the Saudis.

Although City managed to squander it in the group stages, the square peg in a round hole was glaringly obvious once faced with respectable opposition.

Before the tournament, sources had not excluded the possibility of the club making a move for a new right-back, so it’s still to be seen if one is made.

Guardiola also needs to address the defense’s lack of pace, with the two central defenders appearing particularly slow when attempting to retake the speedy Al-Hilal forwards.

The Spanish manager has made it clear that he needs to reduce his squad before the new year, and there may be uncertainty about John Stones’ future, who was the only outfield player to miss the trip.

Meanwhile, it’s still to be seen if midfielder Rodri, who was sidelined most of the season, has suffered a setback.

Even though City lost out on extra prize money with their last-16 exit, the Club World Cup has been a lucrative experience for all those involved.

City, who was the only team to win all three of their games, will leave the US with roughly $ 37.8 million in their bank account. They will also earn the most in the group stage.

That includes “sporting and commercial criteria” and a participation fee, which is thought to be around £27.9 million.

If Guardiola’s team had advanced to the quarter-finals, they would have won an additional $9.5 million in prize money, with an additional $58.8 million in prize money if they had triumphed.

One of those transfers has already been paid for by City, who paid £31 million for Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri and £35 million for Lyon forward Cherki, who scored in their 5-2 victory over Al Ain.

Manchester City’s squad now has a chance to recharge before the new season, if there is any consolation.

City has now won 61 games in a season since Guardiola took over as manager in August, which is their highest total total since then.

In the Conference League from 2024 to 2025, Chelsea had the luxury of fielding significantly different line-ups domestically.

Four of the 15 outfield players currently playing for Premier League clubs have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons, including four from Manchester City, who have a smaller squad.

They are new signing Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101).

Additionally, that quartet continued to play international football with the exception of Gundogan, who was a regular starter for their country at Euro 2024.

A season that began 325 days ago, with the Community Shield against Manchester United on August, came to an end with Al-Hilal’s defeat.

City’s lowest total since 2008-09, with 17 losses overall, which is at least five more than in any other season since Guardiola’s appointment.

City’s 131 goals were scored in 61 games, but their Club World Cup exit defensive errors have grown more frequent.

Before returning to the club to begin the pre-season, City players will take a four-week break before returning.

After three weeks in the USA, it will be interesting to see what plans are put in place for friendly competitions before the new campaign.

Will City Football Academy play domestic games against it to maintain its lightness? Could they make a quick trip to Europe?

Manchester City are heading home from the Club World Cup after a shock defeat by Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in the last 16 in the United States.

The squad are scheduled to fly back to Manchester on Tuesday night, bringing to an abrupt end a tournament which promised so much but instead delivered a stunning upset.

“We have been on an incredible journey together and were in a good place. The vibe was really good,” manager Pep Guardiola told BBC Sport.

“But we go home and now it is time to rest – rest our minds for the new season. “

The sunny climes of City’s Florida base appeared to refresh and rejuvenate a side that was so disappointing this season – but on Monday night their Club World Cup hopes fell apart.

The new signings all played a significant part in the tournament and it was evident that Dutchman Tijjani Reijnders will bring much-needed energy and enthusiasm to the midfield.

France international Rayan Cherki got off the mark in the group stages and provided a glorious assist for Phil Foden’s extra-time goal against Al-Hilal, but there are major concerns at the other end of the pitch.

While Algerian full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri’s attacking ability is undoubted, there are question marks over his defensive capabilities, having been caught out on occasion against the Saudi side.

Matheus Nunes is a midfielder playing at right-back and though City managed to paper over it during the group stages, the square peg in a round hole was glaringly obvious once up against decent opposition.

Sources had not ruled out the signing of a new right-back before the tournament and it remains to be seen whether the club make a move for one.

Guardiola also needs to address the lack of pace in the heart of the defence, with the two central defenders looking particularly sluggish when attempting to chase back the speedy Al-Hilal forwards.

The Spanish boss has made it clear he needs to trim his squad heading into the new season and there may be question marks over the future of England international John Stones, who was the only outfield player not to see any minutes on the trip.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether midfielder Rodri, who missed most of the season through injury, has suffered a setback.

The Club World Cup has been a lucrative outing for all those involved, that is despite City missing out on extra prize money with their last-16 exit.

City earned the most in the group stage because they were the only side to win all three matches, and will depart the US having banked approximately £37. 8m.

That includes almost £1. 5m per win and a participation fee, believed to be £27. 9m, which Fifa bases on “sporting and commercial criteria”.

If Guardiola’s team had reached the quarter-finals they would have earned an additional £9. 5m in prize money, with that total rising to an extra £53. 8m had they gone on to lift the trophy.

City paid £31m for Wolves left-back Ait-Nouri, who assisted a goal in their 5-2 win over Juventus, and £30. 5m for Lyon forward Cherki, who scored in the 6-0 win over Al Ain, so have already paid off one of those transfers.

If there’s any solace for Manchester City, it is that the squad now has a chance to recharge before the new season.

The 61 games played by City since August equals their most in a season since Guardiola became manager in 2016.

Chelsea had the luxury of fielding vastly different line-ups in the 2024-25 Conference League compared to domestically.

Manchester City, with a smaller squad, have four of the 15 outfield players currently with Premier League clubs to have played more than 100 games over the past two seasons.

They are new signing Tijjani Reijnders (107), Ilkay Gundogan (105), Phil Foden (102) and Bernardo Silva (101).

In addition, that quartet were regular starters for their country at Euro 2024 and, with the exception of former Germany midfielder Gundogan, continue to play international football.

Defeat by Al-Hilal brought to an end a season which began 325 days ago with the Community Shield against Manchester United on 10 August.

City lost 17 games in all competitions, which is at least five more than in any other season since Guardiola’s appointment and the club’s highest total since 2008-09.

While City scored 130 goals in 61 fixtures, the defensive lapses exposed in their Club World Cup exit have become increasingly common.

City players will head off on holiday for about four weeks before reporting back to the club for the start of pre-season.

Having spent three weeks in the USA, it remains to be seen what plans are put in place for friendly matches before the new campaign.

Will they keep it light by playing domestic opposition at City Football Academy? Could they head off to somewhere in Europe for a short trip?