Eagles challenge UEFA's multi-club ownership ruling
Crystal Palace has officially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against their controversial demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League. The Premier League club is challenging UEFA's decision, as well as the positions of French club Lyon and domestic rivals Nottingham Forest in the competition.
The Ownership Conflict
The disciplinary action stems from violations of UEFA's multi-club ownership regulations. American investor John Textor, who holds a 43% stake in Crystal Palace through Eagle Football, simultaneously maintains a 77% controlling interest in Lyon - both clubs having qualified for European competitions.
Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, stand to inherit Palace's Europa League spot if the sanction remains in place. In their appeal, Palace has demanded:
- Complete annulment of UEFA's decision
- Reinstatement to the Europa League
- Potential disqualification of either Forest or Lyon
Critical Timeline
The CAS ruling is expected by August 11, creating a tight schedule:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Conference League play-off draw | August 4 |
| Play-off matches | August 21 & 28 |
| Europa League group stage begins | September 24 |
Regulatory Context
UEFA's regulations explicitly prohibit clubs under common ownership from competing in the same European tournament. Clubs must demonstrate complete independence in:
- Management structure
- Administrative operations
- Sporting decisions
Despite missing UEFA's March 2025 restructuring deadline, Palace maintains that Textor never exercised "decisive influence" over club operations. Chairman Steve Parish recently stated on The Rest is Football podcast: We proved this beyond reasonable doubt - it's an established fact.
Comparative Cases
The situation mirrors other ownership conflicts in European football:
- Nottingham Forest's owner diluted his control to comply with regulations
- Textor initiated stake sales to NY Jets owner Woody Johnson (pending completion)
- Textor resigned from Lyon's leadership to mitigate conflict
This case highlights the growing complexities of multi-club ownership in modern football, with UEFA maintaining strict separation requirements to preserve competitive integrity.
