FA Cup Champions Crystal Palace Fail to Qualify for Europa League

Muhe - Wednesday, 13 August 2025 | 02:00 PM (WIB)

FA Cup Champions Crystal Palace Fail to Qualify for Europa League

90 MIN FOOTBALL - Premier League club Crystal Palace has been forced to accept the bitter reality of failing to compete in the Europa League. Palace will now play in the Conference League, one level below the Europa League.
This is because Palace's appeal to UEFA was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. This is a significant blow, as Palace qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup some time ago.
Palace's appeal was unsuccessful due to the club's violation of multi-club ownership regulations. UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) has determined that Palace's shareholder, American businessman John Textor, had violated the rules.
This is because John Textor owned shares in Eagle Football Holdings (which has now been sold) and also owned shares in French club Olympique Lyonnais. Palace and Lyonnais both qualified for the Europa League before Palace's appeal was rejected. Consequently, Palace was relegated to the Conference League.
CAS uncovered evidence of Textor's multi-club ownership. This decision was made, and Palace, who were awaiting Europa League competition, were relegated to the Conference League.
"After considering the evidence, the Panel finds that John Textor, founder of Eagle Football Holdings, owned shares in CPFC and OL and was a Board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of the UEFA assessment. The Panel also rejected CPFC's argument that it received unfair treatment compared to Nottingham Forest and OL," read a CAS statement, as reported on the Premier League's official website.
The ruling panel emphasized that UEFA's rules are clear and provide no flexibility for clubs in breach.

What happens next?

After the appeal is rejected, Palace will compete in the Conference League via a playoff. Palace will play a two-legged tie against either Norwegian club Fredrikstad or Danish club Midtjylland.
The two legs will be played on August 21 and 28, 2025, during Palace's Premier League matchday 2 fixture against Nottingham Forest.
Due to the playoff schedule, Palace's third Premier League match against Aston Villa has been moved. The match, originally scheduled for Friday, August 29, has been moved to Sunday, August 31.***