Archive August 4, 2025

Despite a persistent appeal over their demotion from the Europa League, Crystal Palace have been drawn against Norwegian side Fredrikstad or Danish side Midtjylland in the play-off round.

Due to a violation of multi-club ownership regulations, Palace was demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by Uefa.

American businessman John Textor, who owns most of French club Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, previously owned a stake in the Eagles, which was sold in July.

According to the governing principles of European football, clubs that are owned by the same person or entity must have a certain level of influence before participating in the same European competition.

According to Uefa’s rules, Palace missed the deadline of March 1st, 2025 to present proof of multi-club ownership restructuring.

A hearing for the case is scheduled for August 8 because Palace have filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

On August 11th, it is anticipated that a decision will be made regarding the case.

The complaint centers on Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, French club Lyon, and Uefa, which issued the punishment.

If the punishment is severe, Forest will take Forest’s place in the Europa League after finishing seventh in the Premier League last year.

In the interim, Palace will face the winner of Fredrikstad or Midtjylland’s third qualifying round tie against the Conference League champion.

The Eagles will play Selhurst Park for the first game of their tie on August 21 and the second game on August 28.

In the Champions League play-off round, Celtic will face either Kairat Almaty or Slovan Bratislava.

If the Rangers, who won the Scottish Premiership, defeat Viktoria Plzen in qualifying’ third round, will face either RB Salzburg or Club Brugge.

The winners will advance to the league phase of the tournament on August 19 and August 26 and August 27.

At the league stage, the winners of the previous two legs will be admitted to the Europa League.

In addition, a place in the Europa League’s divisional phase is secured if Rangers lose to Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

Last year, Celtic defeated Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in Glasgow to move up to 21st place in the Champions League standings.

In the final 16 of their league phase matches, Bayern Munich narrowly lost, winning three and drawing three.

Celtic have defeated Kazakhstan’s Shakhter Karagandy and Astana in 2013 and 2017, but they have never played Kairat Almaty before.

In the Europa League play-off round, Aberdeen will face Bucharest’s FCSB or Drita’s Kosovar side.

On August 21, Pittodrie will host the first leg, and the second match will follow a week later.

The Conference League league phase enters the game’s losers after that tie.

In the second round of Champions League qualifying, FCSB were defeated by Shkendija from North Macedonia, and they finished 11th overall in the Europa League standings last year, falling to Rangers.

For the Conference League play-off draw, Hibernian and Dundee United were in the same pot.

The Edinburgh side must defeat Partizan Belgrade in order to play, while United will next travel to Rapid Vienna.

In the event of progress, Hibs will face the Losers of the Legia Warsaw vs. AEK Larnaca Europa League game, while the Tannadice club will face the winners of AIK Stockholm v. FC Gyor.

In the Champions League play-off round, Celtic will face either Kairat Almaty or Slovan Bratislava.

If the Rangers, who won the Scottish Premiership, defeat Viktoria Plzen in qualifying’ third round, will face either RB Salzburg or Club Brugge.

The winners will advance to the league phase of the tournament on August 19 and August 26 and August 27.

At the league stage, the winners of the previous two legs will be admitted to the Europa League.

In addition, a place in the Europa League’s divisional phase is secured if Rangers lose to Czech side Viktoria Plzen.

Last year, Celtic defeated Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in Glasgow to move up to 21st place in the Champions League standings.

In the final 16 of their league phase matches, Bayern Munich narrowly lost, winning three and drawing three.

Celtic have defeated Kazakhstan’s Shakhter Karagandy and Astana in 2013 and 2017, but they have never played Kairat Almaty before.

In the Europa League play-off round, Aberdeen will face Bucharest’s FCSB or Drita’s Kosovar side.

On August 21, Pittodrie will host the first leg, and the second match will follow a week later.

The Conference League league phase enters the game’s losers after that tie.

In the second round of Champions League qualifying, FCSB were defeated by Shkendija from North Macedonia, and they finished 11th overall in the Europa League standings last year, falling to Rangers.

For the Conference League play-off draw, Hibernian and Dundee United were in the same pot.

The Edinburgh side must defeat Partizan Belgrade in order to play, while United will next travel to Rapid Vienna.

In order to advance, Hibs will face AEK Larnaca or Legia Warsaw, while Tannadice will face AIK Stockholm or Hungarian side FC Gyor.

In the first legs, which are scheduled for August 21 and are scheduled for both Scottish teams, both would be competing for a spot in the group stage of Europe.

The 29-year-old Australian was sent to the sin bin after the Super League strugglers won on Thursday 74-12.

He will now miss Wigan Warriors’ and Castleford’s home games against the table-toppers.

The 26-year-old was charged after the first-half clearout, which appeared to have made contact with Australia fly-half Tom Lynagh.

After Lynagh, 22, allegedly failed a head injury assessment, the incident was later removed from the field without being investigated by officials.

World Rugby determined that his actions were “reckless” and went against the law when charged into a ruck or maul.

If Sheehan completes the coaching intervention, Leinster’s Sheehan will miss two pre-season games against the South African outfits, Stormers and Sharks, and two games against the United Rugby Championship.

On October 18, he would be back playing against Irish rivals Munster.

Sheehan led the Lions’ side when Maro Itoje left the field on Saturday and scored a try in their dramatic second Test victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Sheehan was also one of the standout performers on the tour.

Due to his participation in Australia, the hooker would have most likely been rested for the first United Rugby Championship games.