Crystal Palace have lost their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and will compete in the Europa Conference League this season, with Nottingham Forest taking their place in the Europa League.
The CAS ruling upholds UEFA’s punishment after Palace qualified for Europe by winning the FA Cup last season. UEFA sanctioned Palace for breaching its multi-club ownership rules: American investor John Textor held a 43% stake in Palace until he sold it in June and is also the majority owner of Lyon, who qualified for the Europa League. Palace had been given until 1 March 2025 to prove its multi-club ownership restructuring but missed that deadline. The club appealed in July alongside Lyon and Nottingham Forest, but CAS found the regulations to be clear and inflexible on the assessment date, concluding that Textor still exercised decisive influence over both clubs at the time UEFA assessed compliance. The panel also rejected Palace’s claim of unequal treatment compared with Nottingham Forest and Lyon.
Palace’s European campaign will begin in the Conference League play-off round later this month, where they will face either Norwegian side Fredrikstad or Denmark’s Midtjylland. Nottingham Forest’s elevation to the Europa League is now confirmed.
Commentary and context
– The ruling comes shortly after Palace’s strong domestic run — they lifted the FA Cup and then won the Community Shield — underscoring a contrast between on-field success and off-field regulatory problems.
– UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules bar clubs under a certain threshold of common control from competing in the same European competition; CAS reiterated those rules are strictly applied at the assessment date.
– Practical impacts for Palace include lower European competition profile and likely reduced broadcast and matchday revenue compared with the Europa League, alongside a hit to prestige. It may also affect transfer and squad planning given the different demands of the Conference League.
Logical explanation
– Even though ownership shares can change, UEFA and CAS apply the rules to the ownership situation at a specific assessment date. Because CAS found Textor still had decisive influence at that time, Palace’s subsequent sale did not negate the earlier breach in UEFA’s eyes.
Hopeful spin and forward-looking suggestions
– The Conference League still offers European football experience and a realistic chance to progress deep into a continental competition; Palace can use it to build squad depth and give younger players meaningful fixtures.
– The club should prioritise corporate governance and timely compliance documentation to avoid repeat sanctions and to safeguard future European opportunities.
– For supporters, domestic momentum (FA Cup and Community Shield successes) provides reasons for optimism heading into the new season despite this setback.
Short summary
CAS has upheld UEFA’s decision to reassign Crystal Palace from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League because of multi-club ownership concerns tied to former investor John Textor. Nottingham Forest will take Palace’s Europa League berth. Palace missed UEFA’s restructuring deadline and their appeal was dismissed; they will face Fredrikstad or Midtjylland in the Conference League play-offs.
Additional value notes for publication
– Consider adding a brief explainer box on how UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules work and what the “assessment date” means for compliance.
– Include reactions from Palace, Nottingham Forest and UEFA when available, and track dates for the Conference League play-off draw and fixtures so readers can follow the next steps.
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