Crystal Palace has been denied entry into the Europa League this season due to a violation of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, a decision described by club president Steve Parrish as a “severe cheating” and a “bad day of football.” The club, which won the FA Cup in May and originally qualified for the Europa League, is now set to compete in the third-tier Conference League but intends to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
UEFA’s ruling stems from the ownership structure involving Eagle Football, which holds a 43% stake in Crystal Palace and also controls French club Lyon, creating a potential conflict of interest. Despite efforts to separate ownership by selling Eagle’s shares to Woody Johnson, the process must be approved by the Premier League, which typically takes around two months.
Parrish expressed deep disappointment over the decision, stating that the club does not operate as a multi-club setup and questioning the rationale behind UEFA’s ruling. He emphasized the injustice felt by supporters and criticized the governing body’s rules as outdated. A greater sense of frustration arises from the fact that Crystal Palace’s ownership is not affecting its operations, yet it faces severe consequences.
The club has launched an appeal amid claims that UEFA’s decision undermines their historic achievements, particularly after enjoying a successful Premier League season. As it currently stands, without a successful appeal, Crystal Palace will miss out on the Europa League and instead compete in the Conference League, deemed a lesser tournament.
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